What Gen Z Christian Women Are Quietly Struggling With
As many of you know, in addition to my ministry and coaching work, I also currently work at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. After almost a year in this role, I finally feel like I’m getting in touch with this beautiful, image-bearing Gen Z population of young women.
I want to share with you a list of the lies I am seeing the enemy and culture use to attack these women, because maybe this is you… or maybe you know a young woman in this age range that you can forward this to for encouragement.
I will share some common lies to help you (or them) build self-awareness. When we can name what we are feeling, we can pray about it, take it to God, and seek to rewrite that lie into something true.
Then I will list a helpful Biblical truth. Please remember, just reading a truth does not always make a lie disappear. It can take time, prayer, and sometimes help for truth to take root and flourish. But I pray this email is an inspiring and comforting starting point.
College women often live at the intersection of identity formation, pressure, comparison, and uncertainty, which makes certain lies especially believable. These usually fall into a few categories: identity, worth, relationships, control, and the future.
Here are some of the most common lies college women believe, especially in Christian campus environments.
Lies About Identity
These show up strongly during college because everything feels in transition.
“I am what I achieve.”
“I have to have my life figured out right now.”
“Everyone else is more confident than me.”
“I’m behind.”
“My mistakes define me.”
“If I don’t stand out, I don’t matter.”
Biblical truth: Your identity is received, not achieved (Ephesians 2:8–10). You are already fully known and loved in Christ (Psalm 139).
Lies About Worth and Comparison
College environments intensify comparison socially, academically, spiritually, and physically.
“I’m not enough.”
“She’s prettier, smarter, more spiritual, more confident.”
“If people really knew me, they wouldn’t like me.”
“My value depends on what others think of me.”
“I need to prove myself.”
Biblical truth: Galatians 1:10 reminds us that seeking human approval and serving Christ cannot both be ultimate. We seek God’s approval, not human approval.
Lies About Relationships
This category often carries a lot of emotional weight.
“If I’m single, something is wrong with me.”
“I’ll only be happy once I’m in a relationship.”
“I must be chosen to be valuable.”
“I’ll always be alone.”
“Friendships should be easy and natural.”
Biblical truth: Psalm 84:11 tells us that “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Lies About Control and the Future
College women often feel pressure about calling, career, marriage, and purpose.
“If I make the wrong decision, I’ll ruin my life.”
“God’s will is fragile and easy to miss.”
“My future depends entirely on me.”
“Peace will come once everything is settled.”
“I’ll be happy when I finally arrive somewhere.”
Biblical truth: Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us God directs the paths of those who trust Him, not those who perfectly plan.
Lies About Emotions and Mental Health
This is increasingly common with Gen Z and college-age women.
“If I feel anxious, something is wrong with my faith or me.”
“Strong Christians don’t struggle emotionally.”
“I should be able to fix myself.”
“My feelings are facts.”
“God is disappointed in me.”
Biblical truth: The Psalms show faithful people bringing anxiety, fear, sadness, and confusion directly to God. This is not a problem; it is a normal rhythm of a healthy spiritual life (Psalm 42, Psalm 13).
One Root Lie Underneath Many Others
Just like for all women, the lie underneath many others is simple and familiar: “God is not enough for me right now.”
That lie shows up disguised as:
needing control
needing approval
needing certainty
needing a relationship
needing success
needing emotional stability
But underneath it all, it’s a trust question.
Sisters (both those in your 20s and those far past that) God is enough for you right now. He is. In your gut, you know He is. You flesh wants to tell you otherwise. The enemy wants to tell you otherwise. Social Media wants to tell you otherwise. Maybe even your wounds want to tell you otherwise.
But the Bible tells us the truth. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Lean into that truth today and every day. Move toward God daily. Life is hard and filled with trials and lies, but our God is enough. Right now. Tomorrow. Forever. For you. For your daughters. For your friends.
Have a blessed day resting in that truth,
Rebekah
P.S. Inside The Well, we practice rewriting these lies together.