For many years I have been disabled with constant pain from osteo-arthritis.  I have asthma and struggle with major depression.  I have pain in my knees, feet, neck, head, spine, etc.  Each day I can barely function, walk, or stand up for very long.  I am 54-years-old and have a lot of fatigue.  I don't have a job because of all the pain and trouble breathing in hot and humid weather.  I feel weak and frail.  I have to be careful how I move, or I might hurt myself.  I move slowly and do everything slowly.  I have prayed to be healed physically, emotionally, and mentally.  What does God think of people who are disabled with pain... people who are sick... who can barely function?  What does God expect me to do in this world... when I can barely get through each day?  Please answer me soon.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
No Stranger To Suffering

Dear No Stranger To Suffering,

Do what you can – and don’t worry about the rest.  God has a lot to say about those who are sick and ill in this life.  Sickness is a result of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:17).  Sickness and pain are not what God wants for us; they are the consequences of our choices.  God will eventually remove all sickness, pain, and death when we get to heaven (Rev 21:4).

When Jesus walked this Earth, He showed constant compassion for the sick (Matt 14:14).  Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever (Heb 13:8).  You may never know this side of heaven why it is that you’ve had to suffer, but know that it wasn’t because God doesn’t have compassion.  There is some reason why He has told you “No” when you’ve prayed to get better.  Paul had a physical ailment that he prayed God would remove, and God didn’t give him what he asked for either (2 Cor 12:7-9).  Paul learned to trust in the Lord more because of his illnesses and how dependent it made him.  Your illness has the potential to draw you nearer to God as well.  God only holds us accountable for what we are capable of doing (2 Cor 8:12).  If you are ready to work, but are unable to because of sickness, God understands.  Do what you can: write letters of encouragement to others (1 Thess 5:14), read your Bible for encouragement and comfort (Rom 15:4), continue to go to services when you can because your example will do wonders for others (Heb 10:24-25), and stand fast in your convictions and morals (1 Cor 16:13).  We don’t know how or when, but the Lord will cause your circumstances to turn out for good (Rom 8:28).

Are the people who protest against abortion and homosexuality wrong in the way that they go about protesting?  I understand that these things are sinful in God's eyes, but aren't people wrong by making them feel attacked?

Sincerely,
End Doesn’t Justify The Means

Dear End Doesn’t Justify The Means,

It would be wrong to physically attack someone while protesting (two wrongs don’t make a right – Rom 12:17), but it should also be noted that very few abortion and homosexuality protestors are violent.  Abortion is murder (Rom 1:29-32), and homosexuality is a sin (Rom 1:26-27); christians should oppose these with every fiber of their beings.  Violent protestors receive a lot of coverage in the mainstream media, but what isn’t covered are the thousands of peaceful and honorable protestors who are simply trying to stand up for the innocent lives of the unborn and the sanctity of marriage.  Unborn children have souls and are distinct people (Lk 1:44) and marriage is the bedrock of all healthy civilization (all the way back to Adam and Eve – Gen 2:24).  Yes, violent protesting is wrong, but be sure not to paint all protestors with the same mass-media tainted brush.

Hi.  I'm a working mom, and my husband is a stay-at-home dad.  I want our daughter to be raised with good, christian values.  He is more worldly.  I don't know what to do.  He is with her a lot, more than I am, but I feel she will have a harder time wanting to serve Christ if we don't do everything we can now to teach her.  Please help.

Sincerely,
Manager Mommy

Dear Manager Mommy,

The only thing that you can do is be a light in your family.  The Scriptures teach that your greatest tool as a woman married to an unbeliever – is your example (1 Cor 7:13-14).  Your example sanctifies your child and husband because your behavior will be a constant voice in their head.  Your choices and actions become a reminder to them that there is another option.  You cannot force your husband to instill morals in your child, just like you cannot force your husband to have the same morals as you – all you can do is provide alternative.  So let your light shine (Matt 5:14-16), pray for wisdom (Jas 1:5), and stand firm by your convictions.  The most valuable thing you have to offer your family is your unwavering moral standard.

Can one christian cause or contribute to another christian’s wrongdoing… or dishonor that person’s mother and father and convince that person that what they are doing is right… and if it was wrong, would God let that person know?

What does the Bible say about this matter?

Sincerely,
Who’s To Blame?

Dear Who’s To Blame,

The Bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Php 2:12).  You cannot control what your relatives, friends, neighbors, etc. tell you or choose to do themselves.  All you can do is control yourself.  Eventually, everyone will be held accountable for the decisions they make in their lives (Heb 9:27).  The key is to make sure that you live as the Bible teaches... you can't control everyone else.

Why do Catholics pray to Mary?  I have read articles that say they pray to her as an intercessor, but I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that says to do this.  How do they justify this Biblically?

Sincerely,
Who’s That Girl?

Dear Who’s That Girl,

Praying to or through Mary is wrong.  Technically speaking, Catholics are not taught to pray to Mary – but to ask Mary to intercede on their behalf before God.  Catholicism teaches that Mary (and other Catholic saints) have more “clout” with God than us, and therefore, Catholics are instructed to ask these Catholic-appointed saints to pray for them.  Having said all that, many Catholics are confused about their own doctrine and do, in fact, pray directly to Mary.  Either behavior is in direct contradiction to the Bible.

Jesus is the only Mediator between man and God (1 Tim 2:5).  We pray to the Father through Jesus… not through Mary or any other Catholic figure.  We are told to confidently approach God directly (Heb 4:16).  We should ask of God and pray to Him through the name of Jesus (Jhn 14:13-14).  Praying to (or through) Catholic saints is sinful.