BGEA: I just can't seem to get my life headed in the right direction. God must be very disappointed in me. What suggestions do you have?

I want to be a better person, but every time I try I get sidetracked and end up failing. God must be very disappointed in me, but I just can't seem to get my life headed in the right direction. What suggestions do you have? — T.B.

The most important thing I can tell you is that God not only wants you to become a better person, but He also wants to help you achieve it.

In other words, you don't have to change your life through your own strength (as you've been trying to do). In fact, you can't change it on your own—not completely. But with God's help, you not only can start moving in the right direction, but you can also stay on the right path. The Apostle Paul's experience can become yours: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

How do you begin? First, by a simple act of faith commit your life to Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into your life—and He will. When we honestly turn our lives over to Him, He comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. We are no longer alone! God is with us, and as we follow Him, He begins to transform us from within. The Bible says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

Ask God also to lead you to a church where you can hear God's Word and be surrounded with people who will encourage and help you spiritually. Satan will do all he can to discourage you and pull you down—but this won't happen if you build your life on Christ. Make Him the center of your life today.

49 Comments

ARNOLD PATTEN says 6.5.2012, 07:43 a.m.

I am now 56 years old. And when I watch the Billy Graham Crusades. I am more convinced that preaching the word of God into the world is the only way to see change. Even if you preach it to yourself.So let all get together and move on in Jesus name.

Marilyn says 6.3.2012, 10:55 p.m.

my husband of 27 years abandoned both me and our autistic son, he broke our hearts. He is with other women and we can barely make it financially. I am born again.

Monty says 6.3.2012, 8:39 p.m.

This is all true. I have personally experienced the love of God all my life. You have to trust him and let him work his miracles for you. I pray to Jesus Christ and God. I love the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. Believe and have faith.

Stan Gremmer says 6.2.2012, 4:14 p.m.

Tomorrow isn't promised, but eternity is.

Gerald says 6.2.2012, 11:36 a.m.

I don't believe you lose your salvation because you smoke. but I know if one continues to rejects God s gift of salvation is his son Jesus sec peter 3:9

Diane says 6.1.2012, 7:20 p.m.

You can not loose you SALVATION over worldly actions also you do not have to be baptized to go to heaven read your Bibles ladies and gentleman you are being given false information because you do know your God's word

DaveKehara says 6.1.2012, 1:24 p.m.

Jesus is the answer to the concerns of life. As we surrender to Him totally, He comes in and lays emphasis on the true necessary issues of life with eternity in mind.Trust Him. He did it for me when In was hopeless and helpless...

johnsonnoel says 6.1.2012, 1:22 p.m.

I thank BGEA for the mail. please pray for me to overcome my bad thoughts. pray for my family my church thanks you.

Bob says 6.1.2012, 10:34 a.m.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for our most wonderful salvation through your only son Jesus Christ. Please help us yield to your will for our lives. Increase our faith, help us pray as we should and to listen and understand and do your will. Amen

Birdie says 6.1.2012, 09:45 a.m.

I would like to respond to Dennis who has a concern about praying/witnessing to people. I believe if you ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and guide your steps, He will! God is not the author of fear or confusion. Pray in faith and believe.

Leandro Lopes says 6.1.2012, 09:24 a.m.

The old Billy and his experience with God...Yes, Jesus can help us step by step

Shawntelle says 6.1.2012, 09:20 a.m.

I feel Him all around me. One day I was with a friend and all of a sudden I became lightheaded and woozy... I stumbled a little bit, but It felt wonderful. People kept saying maybe you just need top drink water. I was like, nah I think its the Spirit

John says 6.1.2012, 07:16 a.m.

I want so much to return to a closer and more personal relationship with my Lord. He has so impacted my life, and I have have not properly maintained an intimate relationship. Please pray for me to successfully return.

Sam says 6.1.2012, 04:32 a.m.

Had an open lobectomy and removal of the top lobe of my right lung due to lung cancer. This type not caused by smoking. Have quit smoking and living a healthy life for my Lord,myself and my family. With God's help, you can stop smoking. 50yr ex smoker

Sam says 6.1.2012, 04:29 a.m.

With the Lord's help i put down the cigarettes after 50 years of non stop smoking. Will never touch another. God has help me to transform myself, I work hard at it and do occasionally have slip ups, but no smoking. It causes so many diseases.

Thomas says 6.1.2012, 02:04 a.m.

Truly turning to God is the secret. You will see an inner power working for you...Philippians 4:13 is true. Another verse that confirms this fact is John 15:5

Debby says 6.1.2012, 01:08 a.m.

When you really want to know God's Will and you pray each night and hear nothing,,, what next? God has always taken care of me but due to difficulties I am not sure what I am suppose to do. I read the Bible also.

JENNIE says 5.31.2012, 10:38 p.m.

YOU WILL NOT LOOSE YOUR SALVATION BECAUSE YOU SMOKE BUT YOU MAY VERY WELL LOOSE YOUR HEALTH AND PLEASE CONSIDER THAT SECOND HAND SMOKE WILL DESTROY YOUR LOVED ONES AND OTHERS.JUST LAY THE CIGARETTES DOWN AND ASK GOD TO HELP YOU TO NEVER SMOKE AGAIN.

Jonathan says 5.31.2012, 9:50 p.m.

Hi T.B., Pray for God's forgiveness and His grace. Receive baptism if you have not. Confess your sins as in James 5:16, it is a great strength against sin. I and many here will pray for you.

Charlie says 5.31.2012, 7:46 p.m.

God will intervene in all our lives, that is a fact! I believe God allows blessings, and yes, cursing in all our lives, everyday, till He receives us from this world. So I pray fervently, and believe in Jesus' name, forever. Thank You my Lord! Amen

jerry says 5.31.2012, 7:15 p.m.

I pray that Jesus would save everyone now that has or will be born on the earth and that He would come back now. May His will be done.

jerry dore says 5.31.2012, 6:31 p.m.

I have been a christian since 1973 it is the best and the most important thing i have done.Jesus is so. good.With out him I would be lost.A being saved is fun. I still consider myself a Jesus freak. I halve problems and give it to him it is done.I

Laur says 5.31.2012, 6:15 p.m.

PLEASE teach people to be baptized into Christ, the Church. Without that you are not in the church. Think of all the people who will be lost because of that. Look at ALL the scriptures on baptism and see for yourself. Predicted-false teachers

Patrick says 5.31.2012, 6:09 p.m.

Dear Dr. Reverend Graham, I enjoy reading the Bible. The Holy Spirit gives me so many wonderful examples of how to better my life. 1 Peter 3:17.

Larry says 5.31.2012, 5:59 p.m.

I am losing everything I have ever worked for through a Divorce, this is not what I wanted. I have know job, and the wall is closing in, I just can not pray anymore, ( SO) I need prayer, please pray that God will make a way for me....Thank you

Marion says 5.31.2012, 5:16 p.m.

You can never lose your salvation. Eternal life means just that. As for your smoking I also smoked and tried several times to quit. I was asked to work in the nursery. I signed a covenant not to smoke, drink etc. I still don't. Forty two yrs. later

Mary says 5.31.2012, 5:00 p.m.

In answer about being a smoker and addicted to the cigarette, when you Accepted our Lord Jesus, He already knew and Accepted as you were and still accepts you as u are now, Glory be unto God for HIS every lasting Grace and Mercy through our Lord.

lisa says 5.31.2012, 4:52 p.m.

Carol. That is a lie from the enemy. God loves you so much even if you smoke. Is it good for you? No. You will not lose your salvation sister.

Jeanne says says 5.31.2012, 4:32 p.m.

If you confess your sins and believe that Jesus is the Christ and he died for you and rose again - then you are saved for all eternity. That is the gift of salvation. Believe in Him, its in the Bible and the Bible is Gods written word. Amen

Carol says 5.31.2012, 4:16 p.m.

Smoking is really bad for your body, which the Bible says is the temple of God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and if you truly have turned your life over to Him, you can not lose your salvation.

Jacob says 5.31.2012, 3:45 p.m.

The truth is, we all sin and fall incredibly short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Sin is not just the bad or evil things we do...sin is what we cannot do - we cannot attain the glory of God. We need Christ in order to be victorious in this life.

Brenda says 5.31.2012, 3:43 p.m.

I'm trying to trust in the Lord for my life instead of myself. Starting to have peace of mind and my worries and anxieties are lessening. Thank you Lord in Jesus name !!!

Teresa says 5.31.2012, 3:19 p.m.

I have been a christian for 20 years and am just learning how to follow Jesus. In the past, I would pray for Jesus to follow me! It took me years before I learned I needed to surrender my whole life to Him and trust Him for His plan and purpose!

Lowell says 5.31.2012, 2:24 p.m.

One must believe in Jesus is the Christ, repent of his sins, confess his faith in Christ and be immersed into Christ. to be saved (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-11).

Betty says 5.31.2012, 2:11 p.m.

I struggle every day with life's issues. I ask God to take control but then I start trying to control when things don't move fast even or move in the direction I think they should. Pray that I learn to let God control my life.

Henry says 5.31.2012, 1:44 p.m.

The best thing I find to help me stay on Gods path is to read his word daily, pray to and with him daily thus entering into a relationship with God thru Christ. And asking the Holy spirit to fall upon me to guide me and become obedient.

Janice says 5.31.2012, 1:39 p.m.

Even mature Christians go through valleys where they feel condemnation and need reassurance of Jesus' promise that nothing, no not anything, can separate us from His love.

David says 5.31.2012, 1:38 p.m.

I have been praying that God will intervene in my life - in my relationship I presently have in my job search , and in both mine and my girlfriend's addiction to drugs - I pray every day, I almost had a great job but could not pass the drug test.

paul says 5.31.2012, 1:20 p.m.

i understand what it is to die to self daily and i just want to know how do i do this hard times. i have found that its not just church that can be important its the way we act outside of church and show others our faith by showing love to all .

William says 5.31.2012, 1:08 p.m.

The real change in my life came when I repented in heartfelt sorrow and remorse for my sins. All my life I did not understand this need. Once I had given up my sin of the past to my Lord, my life changed and the blessings came.

Martha Tucker says 5.31.2012, 1:07 p.m.

Just ask for forgiveness and leave the rest to God he will take care of the problem.

Francisco says 5.31.2012, 12:59 a.m.

This is my situation just now. Than God for your life mister Graham, God really use you. A hug and greetings from a brother in México.

Nancy says 5.31.2012, 12:40 a.m.

I continue to pray and believe that one day we will all be a better Christian and believe for the right reasons. I am a devoted Catholic and am sad at all of the bad publicity in our church. When will it all end?

Dennis says 5.31.2012, 12:39 a.m.

When opportunity arises to witness or pray with someone I feel I might make a mistake or mess up the prayer or the answer may not be what the person I am praying for wants and they will become bitter instead of blessed. What am I doing wrong?

Diana says 5.31.2012, 12:25 a.m.

this is such an important message for so many people to hear and know. I used to think that God would not want to help me because I had done things I wasn't proud of. He did want me and my life has never been the same since I surrendered to Him.

Kunle says 5.31.2012, 12:14 a.m.

Thank you. I believe this will help me always.

Holly says 5.31.2012, 12:07 a.m.

I didn't realize I was asking this question, but I was and you did. Thank you.

Katherine says 5.31.2012, 11:41 a.m.

Pray for me and the people of this world.

Carol says 5.31.2012, 11:38 a.m.

I have been a Christian for over 12 years and I have an addition with the cigarette. I was able to stop for 2 years and unfortunately went back to it. I have been told by other Christians that if I do not stop smoking I will lose my salvation.