What to do when you're feeling lost and discouraged?

[Trayalc]

So I'm currently a senior in college, set to graduate this May. My Major is Mathematics with a Minor in Physics, originally intending to pursue a career in engineering. The motivation behind choosing engineering is that my father has taught me to choose something that I will be able to provide for my future family with. I feel convicted to do so since I had a very comfortable childhood and young adulthood, and I feel that I have a duty to provide the same. Essentially it came down to what makes good enough money to provide for a family. Essentially my father's idea was that making enough money is what matters, not my passion (even though he would never phrase it like that).

Lately, however, I have been questioning everything. It seems like in every area of my life I've been facing uncertainty. I think about how I have a strong dislike for the physics and engineering classes that I've taken thus far, and I think about how I'd be subjecting myself to a lifestyle of that. I enjoy mathematics, but the thought of taking graduate-level engineering courses makes me somewhat sick. But if, at this point, I don't choose engineering, what will I choose? Is the STEM field even what God had planned for me? When I think about it now, I don't even think I placed God anywhere in my choice of major. I didn't give any thought to what God wanted me to do.

I've started wondering if I've lied to myself this whole time. I'm feeling very lost and discouraged right now. I haven't any idea what God wants me to do or what He has planned for me. I guess it doesn't help that I've been neglecting him lately, but I'm trying to get to where I spend daily time with Him again. Other than that, would you all have any advice or encouragement for me?

 

[Macchiato]

Pray,pray and pray some more.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

It sounds like your heart neuroreceptors and your brain are arguing, but the way it stands is, whatever you choose to do, God will find a use for where ever you are positioned in society. Trust Him, and the Holy Spirit works through you.

 

[eleos1954]

So I'm currently a senior in college, set to graduate this May. My Major is Mathematics with a Minor in Physics, originally intending to pursue a career in engineering. The motivation behind choosing engineering is that my father has taught me to choose something that I will be able to provide for my future family with. I feel convicted to do so since I had a very comfortable childhood and young adulthood, and I feel that I have a duty to provide the same. Essentially it came down to what makes good enough money to provide for a family. Essentially my father's idea was that making enough money is what matters, not my passion (even though he would never phrase it like that).

Lately, however, I have been questioning everything. It seems like in every area of my life I've been facing uncertainty. I think about how I have a strong dislike for the physics and engineering classes that I've taken thus far, and I think about how I'd be subjecting myself to a lifestyle of that. I enjoy mathematics, but the thought of taking graduate-level engineering courses makes me somewhat sick. But if, at this point, I don't choose engineering, what will I choose? Is the STEM field even what God had planned for me? When I think about it now, I don't even think I placed God anywhere in my choice of major. I didn't give any thought to what God wanted me to do.

I've started wondering if I've lied to myself this whole time. I'm feeling very lost and discouraged right now. I haven't any idea what God wants me to do or what He has planned for me. I guess it doesn't help that I've been neglecting him lately, but I'm trying to get to where I spend daily time with Him again. Other than that, would you all have any advice or encouragement for me?

"I enjoy mathematics"

I there something else other than engineering that would include or emphasize mathematics?

Always good to have a Plan A and Plan B.

Perhaps engineering could be Plan B

 

[HTacianas]

So I'm currently a senior in college, set to graduate this May. My Major is Mathematics with a Minor in Physics, originally intending to pursue a career in engineering. The motivation behind choosing engineering is that my father has taught me to choose something that I will be able to provide for my future family with. I feel convicted to do so since I had a very comfortable childhood and young adulthood, and I feel that I have a duty to provide the same. Essentially it came down to what makes good enough money to provide for a family. Essentially my father's idea was that making enough money is what matters, not my passion (even though he would never phrase it like that).

Lately, however, I have been questioning everything. It seems like in every area of my life I've been facing uncertainty. I think about how I have a strong dislike for the physics and engineering classes that I've taken thus far, and I think about how I'd be subjecting myself to a lifestyle of that. I enjoy mathematics, but the thought of taking graduate-level engineering courses makes me somewhat sick. But if, at this point, I don't choose engineering, what will I choose? Is the STEM field even what God had planned for me? When I think about it now, I don't even think I placed God anywhere in my choice of major. I didn't give any thought to what God wanted me to do.

I've started wondering if I've lied to myself this whole time. I'm feeling very lost and discouraged right now. I haven't any idea what God wants me to do or what He has planned for me. I guess it doesn't help that I've been neglecting him lately, but I'm trying to get to where I spend daily time with Him again. Other than that, would you all have any advice or encouragement for me?

Whenever I feel lost and discouraged I think to myself, "just wait for tomorrow. Things will be a lot worse".

Your father has some good advice. He wants what's best for you and one day you'll thank him. You say that you have some passion for something else. It's best for now to push yourself through your education. It will be valuable for your entire life. Save your passion for a hobby for now. There's nothing saying you have to give up on it, just hold off on it for now.

 

[worshipjunkie]

You're going to spend a good portion of your waking hours at your job. You may bring in the money, but other areas of your life with your family will suffer if you are doing something you truly don't like. I'm sure there are many other areas that you could use STEM undergrad classes for in graduate work. I'm a psychology major, so I don't know much about the options, but I think it's important to pray, place before God your desire to do His leading, and go from there.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[SouthernBlessedOne]

I would suggest getting closer in your relationship with God. Spend some time with just you and Him. Open his word and just focus on Him for a few minutes each day. Quiet time can clear your mind and spirit. I pray God will touch your life and bring peace to you.

 

[jkjk]

So I'm currently a senior in college, set to graduate this May. My Major is Mathematics with a Minor in Physics, originally intending to pursue a career in engineering. The motivation behind choosing engineering is that my father has taught me to choose something that I will be able to provide for my future family with. I feel convicted to do so since I had a very comfortable childhood and young adulthood, and I feel that I have a duty to provide the same. Essentially it came down to what makes good enough money to provide for a family. Essentially my father's idea was that making enough money is what matters, not my passion (even though he would never phrase it like that).

Lately, however, I have been questioning everything. It seems like in every area of my life I've been facing uncertainty. I think about how I have a strong dislike for the physics and engineering classes that I've taken thus far, and I think about how I'd be subjecting myself to a lifestyle of that. I enjoy mathematics, but the thought of taking graduate-level engineering courses makes me somewhat sick. But if, at this point, I don't choose engineering, what will I choose? Is the STEM field even what God had planned for me? When I think about it now, I don't even think I placed God anywhere in my choice of major. I didn't give any thought to what God wanted me to do.

I've started wondering if I've lied to myself this whole time. I'm feeling very lost and discouraged right now. I haven't any idea what God wants me to do or what He has planned for me. I guess it doesn't help that I've been neglecting him lately, but I'm trying to get to where I spend daily time with Him again. Other than that, would you all have any advice or encouragement for me?

Your dad gave you good advice about pursuing a practical field like engineering that will alllow you to take care of your family. But that doesn't mean your job has to be engineering. If you like math, why not do something with finance instead?

If you are still unsure when you graduate, consider taking an internship somewhere. Or join the military or peace corps. That will give you time to decide what you want to do while also exposing you to new opportunities and experiences.