"Are you there, God? It's me, a college student. I'm sorry to bother you...again, but I have a problem. Yes, it is the same problem I had last week...and the week before that. See, I procrastinated my seven page paper and well, it's due tomorrow. So, if you don't mind maybe taking some time out of your night to give me strength, and maybe some coffee, to get through this, that would be great. Thanks again! I'll probably be back in an hour when I debate on dropping out of school. See you then!"
As I get caught up in the shenanigans of sorority events, volunteering, and socializing in the library when I should be studying, God and I tend to have a lot more of these conversations.
If it wasn't for college, I would not have had some of the best times of my life with some of the best people I have ever met. While college is fun and everything, there are always those stressful times that tend to slap you in the face, usually the night before your paper or project that you have been procrastinating for three weeks is due. Those times may make you want to either break down and cry or just give up and go to sleep. But, instead what you should do is look to God. While your grades do not define you in God's eyes, they are still pretty important so it doesn't hurt to pray to God for strength to get your stuff done, especially if you have no motivation to do it.
Here are four rules that may help in those situations where you feel that you have dug yourself into a hole so deep that you will never get out.
1. The journey of 1000 miles starts with one step: break down your obstacles into small pieces.
It is better to focus on baby steps rather than diving in head first. Taking one step at a time makes things seem less overwhelming. You can start with making a to-do list for the day and checking off all of your tasks one by one until you are done. This will make you feel satisfied with yourself and that you had a productive day.
2. Ask yourself, "what's the worst that could happen?"
Manage the fear by making it real, then turn those fears into positives. In all honesty, the worst thing that could happen probably isn't that bad anyways. If the worst thing that could happen is getting one bad grade, then you are better off than a lot of people.
3. Remember that your issues are all relative.
My daily 18 year old issues are not that big compared to other people in the world and I take that for granted sometimes. Luke 12:48 says, "To whom much is given, much is required." Take the blessings that God gave you and share them with everyone else. Do not overlook the beautiful things God has created just because some ugly things (doubt, fear, anxiety) are standing in the way.
4. Give it all to God.
Give all your fears, worries, and anxieties to God and he will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30). When I struggle to get through the day or through that one class that I dread going to everyday, I take some time to pray. Prayer is your most powerful weapon in the battlefield of life. Prayer has the power to rid you of stress and open your mind to look on the bright side of life rather than dwell on the negatives.
God will always be there for you through all your daily college struggles (big and small). But in the end, it is all up to you. So next time you find yourself in a tough situation and don't know where to look, look to God. Once you are done looking to God, look at yourself in the mirror, say "you can do this," and get to work.
