MY ANSWER

I'm a single mother living in a pretty rough part of our city, and I worry about my two boys. Am I just a worrywart?
Billy Graham writes, "No, you aren't being a worrywart; young people today are under enormous pressures, and they need guidance and wisdom from those who understand the dangers they face."

MY ANSWER

I'm tempted to cancel the annual Thanksgiving gathering at our house because it always ends with everyone getting mad. Do you have any suggestions?
Billy Graham writes, "Instead of avoiding this family gathering, why not ask God to help you be a peacemaker in your family? Jesus said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God' (Matthew 5:9)."

MY ANSWER

My sister and I are very concerned about our mother, who recently broke her hip. We're afraid she won't be able to take care of herself. How can we help her?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm thankful you are concerned about your mother; I receive far too many letters from elderly people who feel abandoned by their families."

MY ANSWER

I got divorced, and now I've fallen in love again. My mother is telling me to go slow. I wish she'd back off and let me run my own life. How can I get this across to her?
Billy Graham writes, "Your mother cares about you; if she didn't, she wouldn't be trying to get you to be more cautious. She knows the pain you went through with your divorce and doesn't want you to go through it again."

MY ANSWER

Our parents are getting older, and my brothers and sisters are arguing about who should get what from the estate. How should I react as a Christian?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know if your parents have made a will, but if not, you should encourage them to take that step. Not only will it help avoid legal difficulties later on, but it could also make clear your parents' true wishes."

MY ANSWER

My mother is constantly giving my wife and me advice and interfering in our lives. She said the Bible says children ought to obey their parents. Is she right?
Billy Graham writes, "The Bible does teach that children should be obedient to their parents, for if they aren't, they may well grow up to be irresponsible and undisciplined. But this verse doesn't apply to children who have grown up and gotten married."

MY ANSWER

My sister and I are very different, and my parents don't want anything to do with her. She's really living a wild life, but I can't cut off all contact with her. Do you think I should?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know your full situation, of course, but if possible, I hope you can maintain contact with your sister and do whatever you can to help her and encourage her to change."

MY ANSWER

I don't have much longer to live. How can I make my remaining days useful?
Billy Graham writes, "One of the most important questions we can ever ask ourselves is this: How will others remember us once we're gone?"

MY ANSWER

How can you help someone without making them dependent on you?
Billy Graham writes, "The Bible tells us to 'Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality' (Romans 12:13)."

MY ANSWER

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a happy time, but, in the last year, my father passed away and my mother's health is declining.
Billy Graham writes, "Yes, your Thanksgiving may be tinged with sadness this year—and that is to be expected ..."

MY ANSWER

My cousin who was injured in a car accident is always cheerful and says God has been very good to her. How can she say such a thing?
Billy Graham writes, "Your cousin has probably asked the same question you have, and I'm sure her path has not been easy. But in the midst of it all she has made a very important discovery: God is with us even in the midst of life's hardest situations."

MY ANSWER

My spouse recently died and left tens of thousands of dollars in debt because of gambling. How could he do this to us?
Billy Graham writes, "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 ..."

MY ANSWER

My father has inoperable cancer and probably has less than a year to live. But when I try to talk with him about heaven and faith in Christ, he just laughs. I'm very concerned.
Billy Graham writes, "I'm very thankful for your concern for your father's spiritual situation. Someday, we will all die, and the greatest act of love we can ever show to anyone is to point them to Christ and His salvation."

MY ANSWER

Why do some people always monopolize the conversation by talking about all of their problems?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know the answer, of course, but sometimes a person who constantly talks about their problems is actually just lonely and looking for attention."

MY ANSWER

Our daughter has just one semester left in college, and she doesn't have any idea what she's going to do after graduation. How can I help her?
Billy Graham writes, "The most important thing you can do is urge her to seek God's will for her future. God has a perfect plan for each of us, and life's greatest joy comes from knowing Christ and following His purpose for our lives."

MY ANSWER

My nephew was in a car accident and ended up with some serious disabilities. He's bitter and angry at God for doing this to him, and sometimes he even says he wishes he'd died.
Billy Graham writes, "Whenever something bad happens to us we face a choice, whether we realize it or not: We can either let it defeat us—or with God's help, we can defeat it."

MY ANSWER

I got involved with another woman and left my family for her, but now she's left me and I realize it was all a big mistake.
Billy Graham writes, "Both human experience and the Bible teach us that bad decisions in life always lead to bad consequences—always."

MY ANSWER

My husband doesn't care if the children and I go to church but he doesn't want anything to do with it. How can I explain this to our children?
Billy Graham writes, "You don't say how old your children are, but if they are still quite young the best approach is to be as positive as you can under the circumstances."

MY ANSWER

Our baby died when she was only a month old. Why did God let this happen?
Billy Graham writes, "Almost nothing in life is harder for any parent to bear than the death of a child."

MY ANSWER

I don't care if my parents want to be Christians, but they ought to let me choose my own path.
Billy Graham writes, "Have you ever asked yourself exactly why they are so upset over your decision to turn your back on their Christian faith?"