September 8, 2021: How I ‘Log in’ to God

College is a hard time for most young adults. Personally, that period of my life was lonely and discouraging, full of seemingly endless work on top of regular everyday life while figuring out how to be and act like an adult.

In 2017, the American College Health Association conducted a survey of nearly 48,000 college students that revealed 64 percent felt “very lonely” and 62 percent felt “overwhelming anxious” within the previous 12 months. For some students, college is just a bunch of lonely people together.

My university required passwords that needed to be constantly reset, so
I picked Bible verses to log in; they included numbers and easily fit the requirements of nondictionary words. Throw in a few special characters, and voila! Plus, it was a nice way to incorporate pick-me-up scripture verses throughout my day. Thus, I came to know Isaiah 41:10:

“Do not fear”—a command and a common negative emotion.

“For I am with you”—a rationale encouraging us that we are not alone.

“Do not be dismayed, for I am your God”—a reminder we need to hear again and again.

“I will strengthen you and help you”—a promise.
“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”—a hope and security.

Let this verse be the password you need to log in for a more confident life moving onward and upward with Christ.

God, thank You for being my password. Amen.

Jasmine Jiao Valenti is a member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.