Life is Tough

 

Q. I am constantly depressed. I cry myself to sleep and feel so stressed. I went to my youth pastor, and he said, "We all have ups and downs, but you will come out of it." I pray, I listen, I seek, but I just can't be happy. Is there any help for me? Or is it a battle I must fight alone with faith that God is by my side? And if God loves me so much, why doesn't he help me?

Q. At a church camp this summer, I noticed that other kids worship differently than I do. We even debated different definitions of worship. Are there right and wrong ways to worship?

Q. My parents are divorced and they don't get along at all. They badmouth each other to me. They put me in the middle and force me to choose sides. I've told them how much this bothers me, but they still do it. What can I do?

Q. My friend committed suicide and I'm having a hard time with the idea that it was a sin. Can you help me?

Q. I have a problem making friends because I'm very shy. I can't open up to others. Sometimes I don't think God wants me to make friends because they might influence me in a bad way. But down deep inside, I know that's not true. Everybody needs friends, right? I really need tips on how I can make friends without barfing all over them because I'm so shy.