How do you convince your spouse that God is real?  He believes one minute, and the next has doubts… which I know is the devil putting the thoughts in his mind.  He says he wants to believe, but then he calls us names and acts like the world.  What can I do to show him you can’t be of this world and of God, too?  He has been going to church and praying to feel God’s presence, but he says he doesn’t feel it, and it is discouraging him; he believes God doesn’t love him, and his heart is hardened like Pharaoh’s.  Are there any words or Scripture you would recommend to me?  Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely,
The Wife Of Mr. Doubtful

Dear The Wife Of Mr. Doubtful,

Your spouse either doesn’t have enough evidence that God exists, or he has a misunderstanding of how God works.  If your husband doesn’t have enough evidence that God exists, we recommend you have him read “Demanding Evidence” and look at some of the reference material from that post.

However, we think it may also be possible that your husband is under the misconception that God is all about emotion.  God doesn’t make us “feel His presence” in any sort of miraculous way.  Certainly, there are times we feel closer to Him than others, but that isn’t miraculous; that is emotional.  God exists whether we feel close to Him or not.  The Bible tells us that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever (Heb 13:8).  Whether or not we feel like God loves us, He says He does (Jhn 3:16), and we’ve got to take His Word for it!  God tells us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jhn 4:24).  You might remind your husband (gently) that no matter how he feels about serving God – the truth is that how we live does matter (Jas 2:18-24).  Beyond that, continue to let your influence and uncompromising moral faithfulness affect your spouse (1 Cor 7:12-16).

My mom is going through depression; she was just in a breakup with her boyfriend.  She wants a life, but she thinks by just praying, God will help her.  I told her He can if He wants, but God wants to see her do it on her own, and He's not going to help her if she's not going to do the footwork to get her life back.  Question is, was I wrong in telling her that? Because I need to get her back to being the mother and woman she was.

Sincerely,
Worried Child

Dear Worried Child,

God will bless your mother when she chooses to search after righteousness.  God says that He draws near to us when we draw near to Him (1 Jn 1:6-7).  Christ said that all who seek God should “ask, seek, and knock” if they want to receive God’s help (Matt 7:7).  God freely offers the gift of salvation to all mankind (Rom 6:23), but we have to want it and ask for it.  Jesus told all His disciples to take up their crosses and follow after Him (Matt 16:24).  We cannot live ungodly lives and expect God to bless us in those choices (Rom 6:1-2).  You are absolutely correct in telling your mother that God has expectations.

I know that the Bible says that God is with us every step of the way, that He knows what we think, is concerned for us, and what we encounter. However, is God really with us literally every step of the way in our journey of life?

Sincerely,
Looking Over My Shoulder

Dear Looking Over My Shoulder,

There is no specific verse that says God is with us "every step of the way".  However, He does know our hearts (Acts 1:24) and even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Lk 12:7).  We are not sure what you mean by "literally", but yes, God is literally aware of our hearts and lives every second of every day – He even has angels report to Him about our activities (Matt 18:10).

Does God want us to work with Him or for Him?  When did salvation begin?  What is the origin of salvation?

Sincerely,
Business Partner?

Dear Business Partner,

We work for God - He is King (1 Tim 1:17)... we will always be subordinate to Him.  Salvation began with Christ's blood on the cross (1 Pet 1:18-19).  Jesus is the beginning and the end of our creation and salvation (Rev 21:6).  We cannot be saved without Christ (Jhn 14:6).   God planned to save mankind through Christ before He created the world (Eph 1:3-4).  God's plan for our salvation was perfectly laid out from the beginning, and when the right time came... Jesus was sent to die for our sins (Gal 4:3-5).

About a year ago, I was put through the trial of a lifetime - at the mere age of nineteen.  Despite being a baptized christian, I realize that I lost touch with God for a period of my life and spiraled into sinful ways.  I truly believe the trial I went through was to get me closer to Him and to take me to new places and away from bad things.  The one thing is that while I love and trust the Lord, I HATE the situation I am in.  It's going to be a lifetime battle as well.  Is it all right to accept trying times but yet hate the situation at the same time?  Does God want us to be fully on board with the trying time we are in, or is it acceptable for us to not fully be on board?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Struggling

Dear Struggling,

All christians must suffer (Acts 14:22), and suffering helps make us better people (Heb 12:6), but enduring suffering is not the same as enjoying it.  All suffering brings sorrow and grief (Heb 12:11), but a christian can know that God will not allow them to be tempted beyond what they are able to handle (1 Cor 10:13).  Christians can rejoice in trials even though they hurt because they produce perseverance and hope (Rom 5:3-5).  Even when we suffer for our own sinful choices, christians can rejoice because endurance through trials proves our faith in Christ (1 Pet 1:6-7).  The righteous may fall down many times in life… but they always get back up (Pr 24:16).  We are sorry that you are suffering so very much; trials are never, ever easy… but the eternal benefits far outweigh the hardship (Php 1:23).