I always knew my husband liked to gamble, but when he died a few months ago we discovered he had piled up tens of thousands of dollars in debt because of his gambling. It has left us almost impoverished. How could he have done this to us? Didn't he care about us? — Mrs. D.Q.

I'm sure he cared about you; he may even have justified his gambling habit by telling himself he was going to strike it rich someday, and when he did, his family would be free from financial worries.

But, of course, it didn't work out that way—and it almost never does. Almost every week I get at least one letter from someone whose life (or whose family) has been destroyed by an addiction to gambling. Not everyone who gambles gets addicted to it the way your husband did, of course, but some do, and it can be devastating. Jesus warned us about "the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things" that choke our lives and cut us off from God (Mark 4:19).

Seek practical help from people you can trust—your lawyer, a knowledgeable financial advisor, a skilled accountant—so you can find the best way to deal with your dilemma. The Bible says, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20).

At the same time, don't let anger or bitterness grip your soul. It may seem natural to have these feelings but if you don't look out they will destroy you. Instead, commit your life and your future to Jesus Christ. God loves you, and only He can give you hope and peace as you face the future.