Super stressed...

[RedPlums]

I am going through a very difficult time spiritually and emotionally, I am feeling pressed to follow all the guidelines and ideals set out before me, to be a perfect, Godly, young man. I am stressed because I feel like I am in the spotlight, like everyone is looking at me, pressuring me to be perfect.
On the other hand, the world is tempting me, I am being constantly tempted by the devil and sin. Weather, with bad attitude, sexual pleasures, spiritual neglect, apathy... it is really really hard. I want to live for God but I am finding it so hard right now, I keep trying and failing to establish a lasting relationship with Him, I ruin it right when it get's good. I need lot's of prayer for spiritual growth, for spiritual and mental strength to resist temptations, for a burning passion to know more about the Lord and to have a character that is set up like our Lord.

Please pray for me, I need it.

Thank you.

[ccgr]

Praying, please keep us posted

[ChickenSoup]

Praying, man. I relatively recently went through the same struggles; growing up is just so much fun, right? I'm here if you need to vent or ask questions on the whole deal. I get the "being watched" feeling, too--I have this really destructive combination of impulsive behavior and love to make people laugh while simultaneously feeling self-conscious about what people think.

ANYWAY. Something I want to share with you is something that my pastor told me when I was 17. He told me that we often spend a lot of time getting frustrated because there's so many things we have to keep up with and remember and try to resist all the temptations we are presented with in this world. It doesn't help that people, whether in your family or in your church, likely remind you of these things constantly. They're probably just trying to help you stay on the straight and narrow because they want to see you grow into a godly man. I know it isn't always helpful, though What my pastor said was that rather than fretting and worrying about trying to maintain our own holiness--which is futile, right? We can't do it by ourselves!--we should, instead, surrender ourselves to God. Rather than praying for the ability to resist temptation (which places the entirety of the burden on ourselves, with God stepping in as some kind of cheerleader or something), we tell God that we surrender ourselves to Him and His will for our lives, acknowledging that we are fallen individuals and can't do it ourselves. We give it up to Him, and give Him the glory in those times that we are able to overcome the struggle.

I don't know if it helps you, but it helped me. I hope you find peace in it.

[RedPlums]

Thanks, it does help some. I appreciate it.