I'm 20 years old & I have absolutely NO idea what I want to do with my life. It's made me feel depressed,alone,jealous of others and anger. How do I know what God wants me to do? I want to stop being jealous too. All my friends have found what they want to do and are leaving. I need advice please.

Hey, Jaaniya! :hug:

I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. I'm praying for you!

When we need to know what God wants us to do, we pray... and we seek the advice of Christians around us... and we look into God's word, the Bible. So, let's start there. If you don't mind my asking.... how is your prayer life going? Do you attend a church, and do you have a Bible? (If you don't have one, there are LOTS of free ones online -- just do a search. E-sword is great.)

Also.... anything you have questions about in particular?

You'll be staying in my prayers. It's good to meet ya, Jaaniya.

I am assuming you're talking about work, college, vocation, etc...?? Possibly marriage?

Yes, 20 is such a confusing age. I remember. I wouldn't do it again for 100000 dollars.

Anyway -

As for college - or any higher educational system - I'd simply say to just do it. A 4 year college has 2 years of basic classes anyway - and even if you don't know NOW what you wish to do, you have some time. Besides, there are many people who graduated with a degree in X and ended up working in the Y field.

As for work? Well - right now with the way the economy is - any job is a blessing. (If it's not illegal or immorally wrong.) There really is no shame in honest work, no matter what it is. You could be saving back some money to use later in your life. Especially since you're taking some time to figure out where your life is going.

The Bible is FULL of advise. Lots to discuss about not being in debt, what types of friends to have, how we're to NOT be lazy and work, etc.... And of course, PRAY. Ask God to give you the wisdom to know where you should be going, what you should be doing.

Also - getting wise counsel is a good idea. :) Older people do have experience and you could save yourself some serious heart ache if you will really hear them out.

You're not alone. I'm 21 and last year I had no idea what I wanted to do. I've completed all the basics at my University and it has been agonizing thinking it through. However, I found the answer when "I" stopped thinking about this subject or that and just went all-out for God no matter how loud the clock was ticking in my ear so-to-speak. Time was running out and I decided that, from what the Bible says, I needed to "take my worries, questions, and uncertainities to Him". Funny thing, the next Sunday after I decided to do that, the Pastor said the same thing. It was a God thing. haha

Anyways, I just focused on Him like Peter did when he walked on water. When Peter was distracted by the conditions, etc he began to sink. So the clock is ticking, frustration mounting, helplessness increasing....what do you do? Take it to Jesus. Just focus on Him. In no time, I got my first signal and eventually found my career.

Take it to Him. Watch for His signals. Be dilliegent.

If it's any easier for you to understand, my experience was something like what Dave Matthews said, "What I want I've not got, what I need is all around me". Look for God and He'll show you what's been under you nose this whole time.

Love and Prayers in Christ.

Hi Jaaniya! First of all ((((hugs)))) :hug: It will be okay! You sound like me when I was younger. I had no idea where I was to go and what I was to do. I had accomplished most everything the Lord had laid on my heart to do and now I was staring at the great unknown, BUT to God there is no unknown. He has ordained all the steps of the righteous and He guides your every step. There is a scripture that I remember in times like these "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Sometimes God only wants us to see a little in front of us and to take small steps as to not overwhelm us at what is ahead of us and other times it is like a search light that illuminates to the end of the path and we can take long strides because that is what He wants for us. I've learned through this (and I believe that God may be having you do this as well) to lean on God (lean on God and not your own understanding.) and trust Him with your whole heart. Now, you might be thinking, I do lean on God and I do trust God - I said the same thing, then the Lord started to open my eyes to things I was withholding from Him or trying to do on my own instead of just praying and seeking and waiting. There are many times, you will not see anything going on, but God never slumbers, He is always at work behind the scenes. He wants to take care of even the little things in your life, be patient, seek His face, and in His time He will reveal your next step. Also, remember, you are not running the same race as your friends. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the race He created for you - to reveal the passion He put in your heart. He made plans specific for your life and plans specific for your friends' lives. Don't seek to run their lives (you'll fail at it b/c it's not yours) but seek to run your own race at your own pace. Lastly, I have heard a preacher say that sometimes you don't hear from God in decisions you are making -when times like this occur and you have sought and possibly fasted then God is saying whatever you choose I will bless it. (I know this from experience - I was changing careers and I sought after God for 2 days on just this and at the end of the 2 days I heard this advice from the preacher and I just started to cry b/c I knew it was for me and I tell you what my career change was the best thing that ever happened to me. The Lord has blessed it!) Good luck with everything! You will succeed and propser! You rock! Keep your head up and keep the faith! :pp

I'm turning 24 next month and I have no clue what "doing something with my life" entails.

I know with WHOM I want to do whatever I end up doing (getting married next Thursday), and I know what I want to do as far as college (took three failed years, a year off, and a year at a community college to choose the University of Central Oklahoma's Creative Studies program).

BUT I have no clue how that degree will translate into a career, or IF it even will.


Main point: don't be afraid of uncertainty.
Our generation is showing a tendency to choose careers and spouses and permanent residences later in life than previous generations, partially because people are living longer, and thus there isn't as much pressure to "lock in" or "settle down" as there has been in previous decades.