What is going on? Is God against me finishing my degree?!

....11, this might not be of any help to you but I offer it up anyway.

I stood before the men of our church not long ago and pointed out that a good test for their faith is to run out of money. I realize this from experience. (Needless to say I haven't been asked to speak again but it's true) It does appear to me that all to often the faith of many Church Members/Believers doesn't extend much past their income.

In answer to your question as to if anyone can help you understand, perhaps the confusion revolves around what you are wanting instead of what the Lord wants for you. Every time you point a finger you have three pointing back at you.

Be honest with yourself and your parents. I really doubt the Lord objects to your education but rather, is just trying to lead you in another direction. Wait on Him and don't lose faith.

With hindsight, since the onset of our financial woes this family hasn't had to do without anything except the previous wasteful lifestyle we were accustomed to.

 

First thing to remember is that GOD is still GOD and He still loves you, maybe He is trying to get you to refocus. Trust Him and talk to your parents, Im sure they still love you also.

 

It sounds like a noble thing to use your college money to help your family.

Based on your previous quote, I do not understand why your dad will be furious. Surely he is aware of the fact you spent your college money on the family because of his job situation.

Well, at least you know there is no realistic way to get the money in the short time you need it.

Sometimes we get ourselves in a hole and we "pray" that GOD will get us out of our hole. I'm not saying that is what happened here, but you must ask yourself these questions. Did you pray about spending your college money on your family's bills? Or was that a decision you made because it seemed reasonable at the time?

Again, was God "for you" spending the money allocated for your education on something else? If the answer is "yes", then He is not against finishing your degree. God never leads us in a direction to bring us to a dead end. If you prayed about it and you feel God led you to spend your college money on your family's bills, then He will most likely lead you in paying for this.

It could be He wants you take some time off from school. Perhaps He has a plan for your life (I'm sure He does) you had not previously considered. It could be He wants you to be finacially secure prior to finishing this degree to avoid a larger debt in the future. Perhaps His timetable is different than yours (which is most likely the case). There could be any number of reasons for this present difficulty.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

My humble suggestion would be for God to direct you. All of the trials I've gone through have strengthened my faith. God wants us to grow closer to Him and trust Him more. When things seem hopeless, that's when God works in our lives.

Trust Him................Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.


Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:

 

I want to address the more practical side, but the other posts are great advice. I really do not see why your Dad would be mad, as it seems you have done nothing but the right thing.

Have you filled out a FAFSA and tried to get a Pell Grant or Stafford Loan from the federal government? You can fill out one online at FAFSA.gov, and have it sent to the college you want to get your degree at for free. Have you applied for scholarships, or internships? As a last resort, have you tried a private bank? If you can get a Pell Grant, you do not have to pay it back. If you get a Stafford Loan, it is not due for payments until you graduate.

Short of that, sometimes colleges offer part time jobs, or maybe you could take a reduced load, say nine to twelve hours, and work a job. Going three shorter semesters instead of two is no crime.

God bless you on your future, and hope this helps.

 

I am not understanding why they are holding past debts as hostage for getting new loans. Where did you get that money? If it is a government loan, they are not suppose to be due until you graduate. If they are not government loans, on the FAFSA web site, read the section about consolidating loans under the government so they are not due until you graduate.

 

I'm one of the millions that did a degree in 5 or 6 years. Take a break, get a job if you have none and get reset financially and go for it.

Education is not a guaranteed item in this country. We spent the most of our lives scrimping and barely getting by on old clunkers that ran well enough to get us around - most of the time - then there were the times of walking and bus rides.

God isn't our bank, he is our God and He has a plan for each of us. Situations often are His directions.

He calls us to do the best we can and no more. He did not tell us it would be easy.

I found a greeting card years ago that I gave to my wife during some of our harder times. It was a young cartoon couple at the bottom with a humongous earth on their backs. "Its you and me against the world" was the caption but there were smiles on the couple's faces.

Often trials end up allowing us to be an encouragement to others later on so be sure you are enduring things that will be of benefit one day.

II Peter was written to folks that were about to face trials, maybe a read would let you know that you are not alone in your hard times.

 

Princess, if that is the worst thing that ever happens to you, consider yourself lucky.

 

I'm one of them. I worked full time the last four years of my college career, and it took 5-and-a-half years. Scarlett is giving good advice. And by all means tell everything to Dad.

Oh--and by the way, when God closes a door, quit trying to open it. He'll re-open it when it's time.

 

Princess,
There is some very good advice in the above posts. It is good to put things in perspective. As you have been told, many took longer than four years. Look at it this way. Look how far the Lord has taken you. You are on the very brink of a Bachelor's Degree, and besides maybe a few delays, nothing will stop you. There is also degrees above that to get. Think about all the people who drop out of high school, drop out of college, and never return. Think about all the people in minimum wages jobs with children, or on some kind of government subsidized help. It is a good chunk of the population.

What I am trying to say is that you are light years ahead of most others. The only way for you is up. Keep yourself focused on the Lord, and He will continue to lead you where you should be. Do not forget to praise and thank Him.

Back to the situation, once you figure out how to handle the back tuition, from now on, fill out your FAFSA, and be on the constant lookout for scholarships. You have to be pro active to get the funds. Also, there are many who work and go to school.

God bless you in your journey.

 

Princess, you need to talk to your dad, regardless of your mother's wishes.

 

I just turned 53, and I'm finally finishing up my BA next month. Along the way I had to repay a student loan between classes. It took a long time, but it got paid off.

Be patient, A degree not essential to live a Godly life, and do what God wants you to do now while you're waiting for other doors to open. Your first ministry is to your family no matter what, and then to your church and immediate community. That is every man's calling. Be faithful in it.

 

Princess, start looking for a job. Now. Tell your mother you're going to tell Dad.

Quit deceiving your father. Quite deceiving the community college. Start being honest with everybody that's involved in this situation.

Life is what happens when you have something else planned.

Don't think I'm unsympathetic. It's not fun right now for you. But you came here looking for help, and seem to have ignored some good advice. Your way isn't working. Time to do something else.