Taking Anxiety Among Students Seriously

Anxiety and depression is a growing issue among high school and college students. I recently read the results of an annual survey of students.   The study by the American College Health Association found a significant increase in the number of undergraduate students reporting “overwhelming anxiety” within the last year.  The numbers grew from 50% in 2011 to 62% in 2016.  As a point of comparison, in 1985 only 18% percent indicated they had experienced “overwhelming anxiety.”  It is not just college students who are experiencing the pressure.  Depression and anxiety is common among high school and middle students as well.

Anxiety has always been a risk as young people develop.  It happens as they experience academic and social issues, but there are certain factors that have caused the increase.

The pressure to be successful in the classroom: An increasing number of high school students are taking advance placement (AP) classes that require more intense study.  It is important to remember that AP courses are not for everyone.  Most colleges are looking well rounded students, rather than those who will only be successful in the classroom.

Social media: In the past conflicts and personal issues were usually kept private with only a small circle of friends and family aware of what was happening.  With social media those matters might be out there for the whole world to view.

Over-scheduling: Many students are juggling a demanding academic load with extra-curricular activities like music, drama and sports.  Ten to twelve hour school days are not uncommon among active students.  That lives little time for relaxing and personal time. 

Lack of Sleep: Experts note that a typical teen should get nine hours of sleep each night.  A typical teen often functions on between seven hours and eight hours sleep on school nights.  Less sleep not only hinders performance but affects their mood.

Parents and other who relate to teens and young adults need to be pro-active in helping students deal with the pressure.  Some ways to do that are:

Being aware of mood and behavioral changes and addressing them. 

Be available to listen on their schedule.  When a teen or young adult wants to talk it is important to seize that moment, even if it does not fit our schedule.

Emphasize confession and absolution: Most teens are aware of their shortcomings and brokenness.  We need to help them focus on their Baptism and the daily renewal that is available to those who view themselves as God’s child.

Help them understand the importance of mediation: Provide them with the resource to rest in God’s presence during the few quiet moments that they have during the day.

Perhaps the most effective way to address the issue is to model healthy living ourselves.  Mediation, Bible study and prayer should be a part of our daily schedule.  We also need to take time for recreation.  We also need to be individuals who are quick to forgive and practice grace. 

Is Following Your Passion Always Good Career Advice?

“Follow your passion.”  How often have we heard that advice directed to a young person who is about to graduate from high school?  The premise is that if your find something you are excited about, then studying becomes easier.  While on the surface that might seem logical, it is not always practical.  The fields of veterinary medicine or marine biology are good examples.  Students who have pets and enjoy being around animals might see a career working with them in their future.  The reality is getting into veterinary school is difficult and there is not a huge demand for marine biologists. 

During my years as a high school counselor I sent some of my classroom time teaching a class called Careers.  The class was required for juniors during their first semester.  The curriculum took students through the process of exploring career fields, identifying potential college majors, and exploring possible college options.  In addition we looked at what life in college was going to be like and even how to plan for the future financially. 

In looking at career options I always told my students, “If you find any career that reaches the needs of older adults you will almost always have a job.”  While that might include the medical field, it also included jobs in the leisure and hospitality industries.  Obviously, there are a growing number of baby boomers who are retiring.  Many of them have discretionary income to spend on travel and leisure activities.   As we age our health also requires more attention.  That not only means a need for more doctors and nurses, but for physical therapist and nutritionist. 

I recently read an article on the advice that adults are giving today’s high school students.  Not surprisingly, many folks are encouraging teens to pursue careers in science and technology, but health care also made the list.  While young adults who are just starting their careers were the ones who most often said, “Pursue your passion,” it was those who had the experience who gave the best advice. 

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When it comes to the teens in your life, make sure they hear your story but also make sure you are guiding them into a career where the will not only be successful, happy, but marketable.

Grand Parenting 104

We have four grandsons and each one is unique.  The youngest is Daniel Paul Seale.  He is our daughter and son-in-law’s first born.  It had been a few years since we had a baby around, but I quickly remembered my role as grandpa.  We are blessed to have all our grandkids relatively close by and twice blessed to have Daniel with us one day a week.  I am the one who sings silly songs and takes him on long walks.  At almost fifteen month, he also wants to be my helper when I am working in the yard.  He learned quickly where the hose is kept and knows how to turn the faucet on.  When he gets outside the first thing he does is pick up the watering can and head for the hose. 

Daniel is different from our other grandsons, however.  He is definitely going to be a digital native.  Put him in the family room and the first thing he does is look for the TV remote.  We thought he could satisfy him by giving him an old remote, minus the batteries.  He excitedly took it and went over to the TV and started pushing buttons.  When nothing happened the device was quickly dis-guarded.  The boy knows the difference.  It is the same thing with my iPhone.  I gave him my old phone, but when it didn’t light up when he pushed the button he had no use for it.  I do not recall our older grandsons even knowing what a remote or mobile device was when they were his age.

Such is the world today. Today’s kids are born into a world where technology is a way of life.  Our oldest grandson, Andrew, is fourteen and has his own cell phone.  His brothers have their own iPads.  When they come to stay overnight they bring the devices along and stay in touch with mom and dad and their siblings via facetime.  Yes, they do play games on those mobile devices but Peter and Amy have established limits and they live by those even when their parents are out of sight.

There are some parallels with Daniel, however.  He will sit and look at books with you, and when he is tired he wants to be cuddled.  Meals and snack time are always entertaining and yes he does need to have his diaper changed regularly.  There is another big similarity.  Daniel longs for security.   When he is scared he cries and wants to be held.  That’s okay, because it is a scary world that he and I live in.  These days I want to curl up in the arms of my Heavenly Father.  When I first heard of the mass shooting in Las Vegas my response was to long for Jesus presence in my life and in the lives of those directly affected. 

The most important role that I have as grandfather is to make sure Daniel is not just aware of the security and hope we possess in Jesus but to see it acted out in a real way.  In addition to the biblical stories, he needs to hear my faith story.  God has brought me through the tough time, just like he will deliver him from those times as well.

Do College Students Understand the First Amendment?

College campuses have a reputation for being fertile ground for discussion and debate when it comes to issues of the day.  Public universities in particular are viewed as being a place where those with alternative views and perspectives cannot only have a voice but find others who share their perspectives.  As a result a university community might not only have a Young Republican and Young Democrat organizations but clubs representing extreme perspectives like Socialism and Communism.  We expect the same kind of atmosphere today.  After all the current generation of college students grew up have a reputation of being tolerant and open-minded. 

A recent survey of college students seems to indicate the exact opposite might be true.  The study was done by John Villasenor, a Brookings Institution senior fellow and University of California at Los Angeles professor.  It was motivated by concerns about the “narrowing window of permissible topics” for discussion on campuses.  John Villasenor conducted a nationwide survey of 1,500 undergraduate students at four-year colleges.

The Back Lives Matter movement began as a response to what many saw as the intentional targeting of Blacks by police officers.  It was to be expected that there would be protest and rallies on college campuses.  It was a cause many young people identified with.  The conflict arose when individuals with the opposite perspective wanted to express their views on campus.  Many universities cancelled the appearance of White Supremacist on their campuses because they feared a violent response.  If John Villasenor’s study is correct they had a reason to be concerned.  One in five of the college students polled responded that it was “acceptable to use violence to disrupt a controversial speaker.  Over half of those polled felt it was acceptable “shout over controversial speakers so they can’t be heard.”

Today’s young people might have a reputation for being tolerant and desiring to be politically correct but that open-mindedness only goes so far.  When pushed, many college students will strike back.  In such situation using violence is permissible. And we are left to ask, “Where did this come from.”  Is it possible this is a learned behavior?  Could we, as older adults, encouraged this behavior by our response to view points and perspectives that run counter to our traditions or value systems? 

As a society I believe we all need to listen more and talk less.  We also need to respect those who hold different beliefs, perspectives and value systems.  We do not need to agree with someone to love them and respect them.  In the process they might begin to see Jesus in us.  Remember Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “The Son of Man came not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:17)   Perhaps we need to condemn less and practice grace more.

Religious or Spiritual?

Many years ago I led numerous Bible studies using the book How to be a Christian without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenhour.  The book was a survey of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans in an insightful, yet easy to comprehend manner.  Fritz Ridenour’s premise was obvious.  There is a big difference between giving the outward signs of being religious, going to church and wearing a cross, and walking the path of discipleship. The Gospel should not only be applied to our lives, but should spread throughout our lives and impact all our relationships.

I thought of Fritz Ridenour’s book as I read a new report from Pew Research.  The debate between being “religious” and “spiritual” continues to this day.  In the current context, religious people would include practicing Christians who attend church and carry their Bibles.  Spiritual individuals believe in a “supreme being” and might even pray but have little use for organized religion.   According to the latest data from Pew Research, a growing number of American fall into the latter category.  It is easy to see this as a disturbing trend.  It is shown in the reality that mainline denominations are losing members and one church after another faces the challenge of continuing its ministry as attendance declines. 

From my perspective this is more of a challenge, than it is a tragedy.  The challenge lies in being Jesus’ disciples in a broken and lost world.  The fact that a good percentage of the people we meet each day consider themselves spiritual needs to seen as a positive.  The challenge comes in putting aside our “religious” expectations and focusing on the Gospel.  Today’s teens and young adults long for authenticity.  Religious traditions and practices mean little to them unless they are applied to daily life.

That is the challenge.  How do we pass the torch of faith and values in a way that is going to impact the lives of the next generation?  It will not happen if we only have fellowship with our “church” friends.  It means stepping out of our comfort zone into the world of contemporary culture.  It requires us being Jesus in a broken world. 

Reformation 500: Where Have We Gone Wrong

Where have we gone wrong?  It was a question I was moved to ask as I read the recent report from Pew Research.  As we get ready to celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation staff at Pew Research polled American to gain an insight into how people view the Reformation and the biblical perspective Martin Luther and other reformers espoused.   Obviously we have not gotten the word out effectively.  According to the poll only 17% of mainline Protestants believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Even more shocking is the 53% associate good works with salvation.  While it is difficult to know what portion of those surveyed are Lutheran, it is still shocking to me that so many who view the Reformation as a historically significant event miss the whole point.

My experience tells me that even some “good Lutherans” get confused.  I remember my experience years ago with the Kennedy evangelism approach.   People I spoke with were quick to respond “yes” when asked about their hope for eternal life.  When it came to the question of “how” their response most often was, “I have tried to lead a good life.”  Many of those interviewed had grown up in the Lutheran Church but still were clinging to the idea that “I must have to do something.”

When writing curriculum, whether it was for a Bible class, Sunday school or confirmation, I was taught to make sure the Gospel was clearly presented in each lesson.  When I am asked to preach, I always make sure that the story of salvation is stated clearly.  You never know when someone might be hearing it for the first time.  In discussing faith with others I always err on the side of caution when talking about grace and God’s unconditional love for us.

I know a lot of Lutheran communities are planning special service to celebrate the 500 Anniversary of the Reformation.  I guess that is okay, but I think the best way we can celebrate is by being Gospel-Centered in our dealings with people, especially the lost and those who might be different from us.  

That Dreaded Jury Duty?

Maybe I am weird, but I actually don’t mind being called for jury duty.  I see it as my duty, and usually come home with some interesting stories to tell.  Aside from shopping at Walmart (something I do not enjoy), I can think of few places where I can see such a cross-section of society.  I know I am going to meet some interesting people while waiting to be called, and in those long waits in the hallway.  

After all the years of rejection, I actually got to serve on a jury a few years ago.  It was a memorable experience, and great study of group dynamics.  It took us one day to reach a verdict and then three days of deliberation trying to determine the sentence.  There might even be a book based on the case since one of the members of the jury was a retired police detective who now writes crime novels.  In spite of the tension and differences of opinion we left with a sense of accomplishment.  

I thought of all this yesterday when I read a new report from Pew Research.  According to a recent poll, 67% of Americans still equate jury duty with something you do as a civic duty.  Older adults (65+) are most likely (78%), while only 50% of young adults (18-29) held that opinion.  Around 70% of baby boomers and members of generation X view jury duty as a civic responsibility. It is estimated that only about 15% of Americans actually receive a jury summons each year, and only about 5% of us actually get to serve on a jury.

So if most of us see it as sign of good being a good citizen, why all the moaning and groaning when we receive that jury summons?  What message are we sending when we complain publicly about being called to serve?  That is especially the case when the audience might include children, teens and young adults.  I might add that our comments about paying taxes and obeying the traffic laws might also send the wrong message.  One concern about millennials and generation Z (those born since 2000) is that they do not have of sense of national pride as older adults.  It is not enough to just teach American history, we need to be underscoring the responsibilities that go with it.  Even out casual comments might sent the wrong message.