What a negatively eventful last 2 weeks it has been.

There's the debt ceiling debate which will, one way or another, impact our personal finances. Democrats argue that services like Social Security and disability can only move forward by borrowing money. There's an urgent need, they explain, to elevate the cap on how much the country can borrow. President Obama and others contend that the country cannot allow the poor, elderly or disabled to suffer on account of past administrations' budget mistakes. Republicans are not having it and rebut that enough is enough. As far as they're concerned, now is the perfect time to pull the plug on the debt cycle.

All of this leaves a young person pondering the question, "Has the country's straits gone from dire to irreversible?" And then I remember a passage my pastor often quotes; after praying about it, pastor says, he imagines Christ saying, "What is that to thee, keep your eyes on Me."

The political arena has been busy with 2012 Republican Presidential hopeful Michele Buchmann making headlines. A conservative America darling (perhaps more so an evangelical America darling) Bachmann's family owns Bachmann & Associates, a Christian counseling center. When a newspaper reported that the counseling center encouraged or helped gay clients leave their lifestyles, Bachmann dismissed and even distanced herself from the stance. To date, the Bachmanns denied ever encouraging what has been dubbed "conversion therapy," announced that the counseling center would no longer provide such a service and officially withdrew their membership from the church of over 10 years.

All of this controversy is taking place at a crucial juncture in America's history what with gay marriage being legalized in New York. It appears to many that the Bachmanns are backpedaling...hard.

All of this can be discouraging to those who seek leaders with unwavering convictions.

Yet, after praying about it, I imagine Christ saying, "What is that to thee, keep your eyes on Me."

The world is also grieving the loss of 87 Norwegians at the hands of Anders Breivik, a Christian fundamentalist who decried what he considers the dangerous spread of Islam as well as Europe's liberalization. Breivik first bombed one of Oslo's main government buildings on July 22. Not long after, he massacred teenagers who were away at camp on a popular island. Members of the country's ruling Labour Party were the targets in both cases. Only 32 years old, Breivik believed himself to be advancing his Christian faith and allegedly claims he did not think his attacks would kill as many people as it did.

All of this can be enraging to us young adult believers, who already face increasing stigma in a post-Christian, global society. We cringe at the attacks and think "Christians must be known for their love walks, not terror." Our hearts bleed for the families of those who lost loved ones in the devastation.

After praying for Norway's healing, I imagine Christ saying, "What is that to thee, keep your eyes on Me."

And,of course,soulful 27-year-old songstress Amy Winehouse passed away this week. No one knows for sure, at the moment,whether she died as a result of an overdose. Many speculate, though, that her battle with drug and alcohol abuse led to her untimely death. I can't say that I was a fan, although Winehouse did strike me as a misunderstood young lady. I would have loved to see her recover; I would have loved to hear a redemption song.

Still, after praying for the Winehouse family to find comfort in the storm, I imagine Christ saying, "What is that to thee, keep your eyes on Me."

Friends, the world is growing ever-confusing, ever-depressing. It's easy to get bogged down by crises, particularly if one's prone to a compassionate spirit.Let's not get consumed with the bad reports; instead, intercede through fervent prayer. Assist practically and, at times, fiscally in order to make a change. We must also remain humble and mindful that were it not for God's grace it could be us in the middle of the debt debacle, or recanting our stance, or carrying out a massacre or dying too young, too soon.

Ultimately, we must keep our gaze on Christ, who will return soon. Let's make sure he catches us being busy and prayerful.

Ana Guthrie is a super cool chick with a heart for God and love for youth culture. She doubles as a not-so-naughty librarian and instructor at Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida.