As a college student, many people anticipate that my life involves partying, drinking and waking up late for class. While this may be true some of the time, what many people don't realize is how stressed students are during the school week.
During my first semester of college, my weeks consisted of working my ass off Monday through Friday morning, and Friday through Saturday night would be my time to let loose and have fun.
But as second semester rolled around, partying became almost non-existent and I rarely saw outside of my room other than to go to class. I would get in vile moods and just want to sleep for hours on end. And then I remembered that my Grandad had bought me a Good News Bible (a version that's translated to be easier to understand). I grabbed it off of my shelf, grabbed a notebook and a pen, and began to read the Lord's word and took thorough notes.
My grandfather is an incredible man who is also very close to God--whether he thinks it's true or not, my sister and I are for certain that he knows every word in that Bible. My mom talks about having to go to Bible studies and different church camps, growing up learning about all that God has done for us and what he will continue to do.
I grew up going to church almost every Sunday and saying the blessing, or the Lord's Prayer before dinner. But as we got older, we didn't go to church as often and being in college I hadn't had the reminder of my family to say the blessing before my meal. I knew that I wasn't a bad person, nor would God think any less of me for these sins, but on the inside it made me feel terrible.
So for me to pick up my Bible in a stressful time in my life, starting from the very beginning, learning about how the earth was created, how languages began, and about the sacrifices God has made, it gave me a new sense of understanding.
For all of the seniors in high school about to go into college in a few weeks, my advice to you is to bring yourself a Bible. You may be ready to head off to college, be out on your own, and make new friends; however, there are going to be stressful days with 10 page papers, ending friendships, and even loss. Partying may solve some problems and allow you to let loose, but nothing and no one is better at helping with stress than God himself.
I will leave you with Psalm 118:5-6
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In my distress I called to the Lord; he answered me and set me free. The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; what can anyone do to me?"
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