Dear fellow college student;

It is that time of year again. No, I don't mean the pumpkin spice lattes or the fall festivities with your friends. I'm talking about the final stretch of the semester where we prepare for final papers, projects, presentations, and exams. At this point in the semester, professors are assigning last effort assignments in preparation for finals. This is the time where we college students are thrown head first into deep, shark-infested waters and are told to swim to shore.

It's stressful to say in the least, especially for us sophomores. We just finished freshman year and thought that was difficult. Now, we are realizing just how confusing, stressful, anxiety-inducing, and outright crazy college can truly be.

I know for me, I am stretched thin. I am instructed to make sure I continue as a full-time student, work at least part-time, keep up with homework and class assignments, connect with prospective job opportunities, involve myself in extracurricular activities and groups, have a social life, and last (but certainly not least) sleep.

How our determination to continue and graduate even among the high stress levels is beyond comprehension. Even though we proceed through the trials, we still suffer and can sometimes get overwhelmed, but how do we deal with the stress?

I found myself Sunday morning worshiping God like I do every week. However, this time I cried out to Him. Like I said earlier, I have been so overwhelmed and didn't know what to do. In the midst of me feeling all the anxiety and pressure placed on myself, I heard a voice whisper "Breathe Me in."

In that moment, an avalanche of emotions hit me. I was scared because I didn't know how that would help me, yet I felt calm. I wanted to cry because that wasn't the answer I wanted, yet I was happy that I received it.

After dwelling on the three words for a while, I came to an idea. With all these exams, presentations, and projects, it is easy to get lost and confused about what we are supposed to be doing. It is in those moments we need to take a step back and breathe in God's presence. He is the only One who brings peace, love, and happiness to our lives. He is the Almighty God who is in control and wants to bless us. When the world fails to provide a light for us, God is there to provide it. We just have to ask.

Once we ask to receive God's peace, it is literally as easy as breathing. When we breathe Him in, it consumes every muscle, every bone, and every cell that makes us who we are. There can't be one hint of doubt or stress within us if God is in us.

My advice to you, my fellow college students, is the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and just breathe God in. God is willing and wanting to help us if we only ask Him to.

Good luck,

Your Fellow College Student