The Frustrations and Comforts of Life

This past month has been a huge struggle for me with student cabinet stuff, school work, work, and friends. It all just seems too much. It feels as though there is not enough of me to spread around or enough hours in a day. Somedays are so overwhelming I just have to get in my car and drive. I drive to escape my problems, to reflect, and to just pretend that none of these things actually exist somedays. I like to be on the move. If I can't deal with a situation I just get going. I like to avoid situations until I feel as though I am in control. Something definately not good for my relationship with God. I shouldn't be running away from things. I should be bringing them to God asking for his help, strength, comfort, and endurance.

There is this one situation that is just beyond me. It's an issue of personal care for oneself. I mean God has given and blessed us everything that we have, this including our bodies. So then are we not to treat our bodies as temples of the Lord. Should we not strive to take the best care of ourselves to glorify God? Then why would we not care for ourselves and preserve our bodies. This "friend" of mine simply does not care for themselves. It's not that they lack the skills or knowledge of how to care for themselves but that they simply do not take the time to. So I've been praying about the situation and talking to God about it...trying to figure out how to approach them. I thought that I had this great plan in using the "subtle hint". This way I could quietly talk/hint to them about an issue without hurting their feelings. I've said things like: "I find I have to put my dirty laundry in a closed hamper or else it just stinks horrible" or "Did you know that we're suppossed to wash our sheets every other week". These are just a few of the many many "subtle hints" that I have tried. So far none have worked. The "friend" simply just laughs everything off thinking I'm a crazy obsessive compulsive person when it comes to cleanliness. It is so frustrating. So the next thing I tried was talking to them in a loving Christ-like manor explaining that there was an issue. What a hard situation...especially since I do not like confrontation of that sort. We seemed to have a really good discussion. We talked back and forth...everything seemed to go well. Now another week later, this friend has gone back to their 'old ways' of living. Nothing has changed. It's so difficult. How do I deal with this? It seems as though nothing has or is going to change. Anywho, enough of the babbling of this problem.

Despite this one issue and many other stresses in my life there is some comfort. I was reading my Bible the other day and opened up to Psalm 20. It was exactly what I needed to hear and read. God totally guided me to the right passage that would help me.

Psalm 20
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of God.
May the LORD grant all you request.

Now I know that the LORD saves his annointed.
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

Oh LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!