Throughout a student's collegiate career, many emotions flood their mind and soul. College can be the most confusing or tough time in someone's life. Whether it is the happiest years of your life, or the most detrimental, we cannot ignore God's word. No matter how you feel, God has a plan, voice, and word of comfort for your situation.
1. Stress
Obviously one of the most common emotions of a college student or any student for that matter is stress. Homework is overbearing, tests and quizzes are everywhere and we tend to take this stress out on ourself and worry ourself sick. This is when to turn to Psalm 46:1, which says "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
God is our rock. Just like our family and friends, he cares about what we are going through. He wants us to come to him in times of need and know that he is our refuge, our safe place.
2. Worry about the future
Whenever we worry about the future, it is pretty common to look at Jeremiah 29:11 which says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you future and a hope."
While this gives usually gives us closer, there are several other verses that can help us grow closer to God as well, such as Psalm 94:19 "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Jesus comforts us. When we come to him on our knees worried, he puts a hand on our shoulder and eases our suffering. God is hurt when he sees his children so upset and confused, he wants us to trust in him.
3. I'm ugly
Whether your male or female, you will always compare yourself to others. Unfortunately, that is just the day and age we live in. We see public figures for even just compare ourselves to friends and think so much lower of ourself based on appearance. One of the most powerful verses that does not get enough attention is Isaiah 64:8 "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Ask yourself this: "Does God make ugly things?" The answer is no, obviously. You are insulting his almighty craftsmanship that made you, YOU. God wants you to look in the mirror and appreciate what you are. Your body is a temple that is a tool for worshiping God our father, why would you be ashamed?
4. I'm not good enough
We are sufficient in God's eyes, always. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit." Christ tells us we are capable and able to do whatever it is we need to be ministers in our life. I do also believe this verse completes the idea that we are good enough for the Lord, we are good enough for our significant other, we are good enough. We are sufficient through Christ.
5. Greed / Materialism
This is such a personal issue that I have. I can't help but be jealous of the girls carrying luxury bags, two hundred dollar shoes, and constantly going shopping. While there is nothing wrong with this, these items will not get us into heaven. These things will not be my salvation. Those items will not allow me to become closer to Christ. Often I go to Luke 12:15 "And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This is so important, what we own in this life does not determine our eligibility for Christ's grace.
6. Envy
Jealousy is so common in college, whether people are figuring out their future, getting better grades or something else, there is always something to be jealous of. However, when you turn to Proverbs 14:30 "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes bones rot.", it is clear that we should not let jealousy take over our hearts. This feeling of envy will turn us cold, it will hurt our heart.
7. Loneliness
It is so easy to let loneliness consume us. It is depressing and makes us second guess ourselves. However, we are never alone. We are always in God's presence, every day. To remind us of this, look to Matthew 28:20 "... I am with you always, to the end of the age." Our alone time is actually the perfect time to look toward Christ and have personal time with him.
8. Vanity
At times it feels like we are on top of the world, we are the most important, we are the best, etc. However, this is never true. God created the Earth, he is the most important, and he is the way, the truth, and the life. Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." How we look on Earth or think of ourselves is not always the most God-honoring way. HE is the center of our life, we are not.
9. Is God Listening to me?
YES. Yes. YES! When we pray to God, it does not always feel like he is listening, however, he is. Psalm 4:3 says "... the Lord hears when I call to him." God is listening, and he will answer. Just maybe not today, tomorrow, or next week, but he will.
10. Doubt of God's Presence / Plan
God always has a plan for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. But sometimes, we doubt his presence in our lives. James 1:5-8 puts this simply: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Those who doubt God are like waves of the sea, tossed by the wind: unstable, chaotic, and dangerous.
11. Anger
Anger is all too common, and all too real. Everyone gets angry. Also coming from the first chapter of James, we see what Christ says about anger. James 1:20 "for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.." When we are angry, we do not represent the God we want to show the world, our heart is tempted to be hateful, and we show a side of us that does not please God.
12. Hatefulness
Proverbs 12:26 says "One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor." As Christians, we are called to love one another and spread Christ's unconditional love. When we act hateful towards people, we are not being good stewards of Christ. We do not represent our God when we are hateful towards other people.