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Our weekly newsletter filled with news, updates, and inspiring stories of how God is working in the Bay Area.

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Our weekly newsletter filled with news, updates, and inspiring stories of how God is working in the Bay Area.

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So you’re in your 20s – it’s fun, but also a little tumultuous. You’re in the midst of making big decisions about your life. Who will you date? Where will you live? Are you picking the right career path?  When will you get married? Will you go back to school? These questions (and more) loom over our heads throughout our 20s, and we are often all too aware that the decisions we make now will have a significant impact on our future.

But have no fear! We’ve compiled a few helpful articles as well as some key scriptures to help every woman make the most of her 20s in life, love and spirituality.

1. You can’t hurry love

 She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.

Proverbs 31:25 (NCV)

Too many women end up settling for a feeling of love, rather than waiting for the real thing. We often get so afraid we won’t find someone that we settle and compromise so that we won’t be alone. Relationships are great, but we make mistakes when we expect dating to solve all our problems and meet all our emotional needs. Before we become a girlfriend or wife, we need to be strong and respected in our own right. Only then will we have the ability to establish a relationship built on true love.

2. Your future starts now

Those who work hard make a profit, but those who only talk will be poor.

Proverbs 14:23 (NCV)

Whatever your goals may be, now is the time to start pursuing them. Success requires hard work, whether in your career or in relationships. In a Forbes magazine article, Jason Nazar encourages 20-somethings to pick a businessperson they admire and act “as if” you were that person – If you were (fill in the blank) how would you handle your workload? How would you handle your stress or make decisions?

Start developing the heart and character of the position(s) you desire. If you have a goal or dream, start building toward it now. Dress the part, seek mentorship, do the work.

3. No one has it all together….despite what their Facebook page may suggest.

 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

One of the greatest challenges to being content with our lives in when we compare our low moments to the high moments others share on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Studies have shown that higher uses of Facebook can actually cause depression as we get jealous when we constantly look at others’ pictures and posts of their engagements, promotions, and vacations.

The truth is, it’s OK to make mistakes; it’s perfectly alright to try a career and realize its not for you, or to date and decide you are better apart. No one has it all together. Instead of scrolling through your news feed today, take time to think about a few things you are grateful for, and you’ll find your mood and outlook on life will get a lot better.

4. Be the Friend You Want to Have

Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.

Proverbs 17:9 (NCV)

Friendship is one of the greatest parts of life, yet many of us fail to have the friendships we truly desire. Ask yourself how often you compare yourself to and compete with the women around you, instead of seeing them as friends?  How do you handle when someone is better than you at something? Gossiping, competing and comparing ourselves with our friends and coworkers will only make us feel more lonely. Young women often settle for hanging out and having close proximity to people instead of building friendships that allow us to share our hopes, dreams, fears and shortcomings.

Luckily, the Bible is full of ways to build deep meaningful relationships. Pick one area to work on being a better friend this week to women around you.

5. 30 is Not the End

 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

Luke 3:23 (NIV)

Though it may seem scary, turning 30 is not the end. Perhaps you have not accomplished all you want to, or maybe your relationship status isn’t what you hoped; it’s okay, your 30s are a time to work towards those things. Learn from past mistakes and be confident in who you are and where you are going.

Written by

Jen Straw

Jen is the Director of Instruction and Specialized Services for the Hope Technology School in Palo Alto, California. She has worked in education since 2002, and is passionate about helping students achieve their full potential both inside and out of the classroom.