I don’t know about you, but lately I have been on a constant emotional rollercoaster. Admittedly, some of it might be hormones, but most of it is just going through life dealing with day to day responsibilities. For example, last week I had to decide whether or not I was going to eat dinner ($4 Cali-burrito) or do laundry ($4.50) with the last $5 I had to my name. To most adults, this is a humorous situation; but to a college student already dealing with the stress of being in major debt, trying to get straight A’s, getting less than five hours of sleep each night, working part time, finding time to be healthy, finding time to talk to family and finding time for yourself, this situation can easily lead to a mental breakdown.

In times like this I find myself going somewhere quiet, sitting on the floor, and just talking it all out with God. I get angry, I get frustrated and I cry because He is the only one I can fully express every single emotion to. He already knows what I’m feeling—there’s no need to hide my thoughts or my tears, there’s no need to pretend I am happy and there’s no need to be anything except exactly who I am— and the freedom that comes with this relationship is more than enough to comfort me. Over the last few years, I have come across these bible verses that I have found great solace in, and I would like to share them with you:

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
• The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20
• When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; He brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalms 118:5-6
• Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94: 16-19
• They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:48
• But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
• Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:2
• Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
• Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31
• Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7
• Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103: 1-5
• In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
• Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30
• The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9: 9-10
• The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34: 17-19
• But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9