Dear Pastor,

I do hope all is well with you and that you continue to do the work of the Lord. I am a female in my early 20s and I have a decent job and I try to live a very normal and simple life.

Most persons know me to be a very jovial, down- -to-earth and lovely individual. Others feel I have everything that a young girl could ask for and that my life is perfect, but honestly, it is far from perfect.

Pastor, for the past several years, I have been so unhappy, both with the way my life has turned out, and with the persons I have had to be around.

I am writing you in tears. Honestly, I do not know where to begin. I just really need someone I can share my problems with. I am confused. I have even thought of committing suicide. The thought is becoming more inviting as each day passes and I hate my life even more. I hate my situation. I just feel like I have no purpose on this earth. I feel my life has no meaning. I am really hurting. I feel sad and down all the time. Mostly when I am by myself, I get depressed and just do not feel like myself.

The only person that keeps me alive is my mother and the fact that if I commit suicide, I would go to hell. Please, I need your help.

L. M.

Dear L.M.,

What you are trying to say is that you are very unhappy. The question is, why? You have a good job. That is something that so many people do not have. Many people in your age group would say that if they had a job, they would be happy. You hear people say all the time, "all I need is a job."

According to you, the people you are around make you very unhappy. But, my dear, you will never find perfect people. Everybody has faults. Most people can be a pain in the neck sometimes. Nobody is perfect. So you would have to learn to live with those who are around you.

Have you ever considered that some of the people with whom you associate find you a pain in the neck and a difficult person to live or work with? Think about that. Are you perfect? You might think that you are all right, but others might not think so. Therefore, what are you going to do about it? You can't do anything about the people, but you can do something about yourself.

You need someone with whom you can share your problems. And it is for that very reason that I am suggesting that you make an appointment to see a psychologist. He or she won't divulge what you have said. So if you are willing to take my suggestions, let me hear from you again and I will refer you to one. In the meantime, read your Bible, pray, go to church, and stop seeing everyone as your problem.

Pastor