I get it. Oh my word, do I get it.

It's three in the morning, you're on your fourth cup of coffee. You have three tests in the next two days, one paper, four homework assignments, and a quiz due as well. Not to mention you have to learn a new piece of music for your choir, and you're scheduled to work the next three days.

You're sitting at the table just asking yourself, "How?" How did you end up here? Why does this have to be so difficult? College was supposed to be fun, this is the exact opposite of fun! Why are you paying thousands of dollars to be perpetually frustrated? Maybe you're taking a class for the second time because you just didn't understand the professor you got stuck with the first time around. But damn it, despite your best efforts, you're still making a C in the class. You might even be considering changing your major. And trying to stay fit? Trying to eat at your apartment and not at Chick-fil-A or Whataburger every night because you only have ten minutes to scarf something down between chapter and a review session? Trying to run two miles every other day or lift weights like you love to do and physically feel the NEED to do? You imagine it would be easier to perform surgery than find time to fit it all into your schedule (I'm looking at you, Meredith Grey.) Also, people know better than to ask you about your social life, because your response will be, "What life?" You barely talk to your friends because they're going through the same mess you're in as well. You try to talk to your mom about it, but she doesn't understand, and will always tell you that you can do better, even when you're giving it your all.

You miss your family. You miss your dog. You'd kill for a bowl of your grandma's chicken and dumplings, even though you've been so busy the past two months you haven't even called her. You want to go home and fall face-first into your bed and give up. Pretend that you don't have responsibilities and obligations to school, work, and other people. Eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's and just say, "Forget it."

It's overwhelming. It's incredibly frustrating. It's smothering at times. You may be ready to explode from the stress of it all.

Take a breath. My friend, you are not alone. You are understood. You are loved. You will be alright. You will always be alright, even if it's not how you believed you would be. The Bible gives us so many examples of God's love for us as we persevere through trials.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

When I am beaten down and near the edge of the precipice of despair, I turn to James 1:12 which states "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." He is LITERALLY telling us that the obstacles we face in this life and the hard work we do here on Earth will lead us to His grace.

So be diligent in your work. He is making you stronger. Your hard work WILL pay off. You will be successful. Be steadfast in your faith and remind yourself that He has this. The one who created the oceans and mountains knows you by name, and has got your back always. This is such an important time in our lives, and God is preparing us for greater things. Remember that you're young and breathe, give yourself a little bit of room to be human. Call your grandma. Go for a run. I repeat, because you need to know for sure, you are loved and you are going to be okay. It may not seem like it, but there is more to life than the grade you make on one quiz or five extra points on a paper.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another cup of coffee to pour and a few assignments to get done. Then I think I may go for a run.