Impossible Roommate
Q: What is one way to deal with an impossible roommate?
Steven: Sin will strain pretty much every relationship we have, including our relationship with God. What does God do with us when we sin? He forgives us and teaches us better behavior from the Bible. If you have a lot of trouble with an impossible roommate, pray about it, forgive them for their part of the problem, own up to any part you may have in the problem and talk to them about it. Try not to blame. Use “I” statements (“I am feeling stressed out due to lack of sleep. Can you help me out by keeping it down after 10 p.m.?) Next, see if things get better. If not, you may have to seek out a new roommate, but “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18).
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ~ Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
When I moved to Vancouver from Toronto, I needed a place to stay. I met some girls in church who happened to be looking for a place as well. It started out with Sarah and Zana. We were praying really hard for a nice and affordable house. House hunting wasn’t easy. Rent prices were mostly outside of our budget — which is not much at all. If the house was nice, we can’t afford it. If the house was within our budget, it was quite unkept and shabby.
Shirley, another friend from church, heard that we were house hunting and wanted to join us too. Now that we have four girls, maybe we can find a bigger house and split the rent. It could be cheaper that way. God is good and we found just the perfect house! It was a spacious four bedroom house with a huge living and dinning room. We even had a prayer room for “family meetings”!
News spread and an Australian, Ling, who recently moved to Vancouver heard about our place and wanted to move in with us as well. Great! But that means she’ll have to share the biggest room with Sarah.
You must be thinking, okay five girls in a house, that’s disaster waiting to happen! Not the very least. In fact, we were known as “The House of Awesome”. We had regular house parties and guests. Chores were organized and done on schedule. Meals were shared and done on schedule. Meetings were planned and done on schedule. We eat, pray and play together. We were one “happy family.” Our friends who visit us were often amazed how well five girls with the most different personalities could get along so well together. Many thought we should be on some reality TV show!
Soon, the basement suite became available and immediately we had Marie and Amy interested to rent it. So they can have a taste of this community we had built. The seven of us had so much fun living together. Conflict was unheard of. Actually, Zana had to pray for one so that we can learn to resolve conflict in a Godly way! And we did! Just like how Steven had advised.
As such, I encourage you to eat, pray and play with your roommate. When conflict arises, fret not. Godly confrontation can bring you closer to your roommate.