Answers

Read thoughtful responses to a wide assortment of questions from Billy Graham’s My Answer column and other resources.

My neighbor was diagnosed with cancer, and all it's done is make her angry at God.

My neighbor has never wanted anything to do with God, but when she was diagnosed with cancer several months ago I thought she might wake up and begin thinking about Him. But all it's done is make her angry at God and blame Him for giving her cancer. Why do some people react this way?

Jesus told the thief on the cross he would be with Him in paradise. Is paradise the same thing as heaven?

What did Jesus mean when He told the thief on the cross who believed in Him that he would be with Him in paradise? Is paradise the same thing as heaven, or is it something else?

Since my divorce over 15 years ago, I haven't seen my children. Now they've made it clear they don't want anything to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation?

I hadn't seen my four children in over 15 years, until last weekend. (The reason was a nasty custody battle after a bitter divorce.) I'd always prayed we'd reconnect somehow because I still loved them and missed them, but last weekend they made it clear they don't want anything more to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation?

I am very fearful about going out in public. Is God going to punish me for not going to church?

I am very fearful about going out in public, and although my psychiatrist has me on a new medicine that helps me some, I still can't face being in crowds. Is God going to punish me for not going to church? I feel guilty because I know I should, but I just can't help it.

How do you know when you ought to help someone and when it would be better to make them stand on their own two feet?

How do you know when you ought to help someone and when it would be better to make them stand on their own two feet? Our son (who's 34) moved in with us after losing his job, and now he doesn't even look for work because he has it so easy living with us. Would it be better to make him move?

We're over our heads in debt, but my spouse won't stop spending money. I'm about to give up.

We've been married just two years, and already we're over our heads in debt. The problem is that my husband just can't seem to stop spending money, especially when he sees something he wants. But he refuses to face this, and says everything will work out. I'm about to give up.

What is a saint, in your opinion? A friend of mine says every Christian is a saint. How can that be?

What is a saint, in your opinion? I grew up thinking only a very few people were entitled to be called saints, but a friend of mine says every Christian is a saint. How can that be, when most of us aren't exactly pure?

I know Jesus said to love people, but how can you love someone who has really hurt you?

I know Jesus said to love people, but how can you love someone who has really hurt you? My father walked out on us after abusing Mom and us for years, and whenever I think of him I get angry. I don't ever want to see him again.

Why is it so hard for some people to apologize after they've done something wrong?

Why is it so hard for some people to apologize after they've done something wrong? My uncle will bend over backwards to be nice to people that he knows he's hurt, but things would be so much better if he'd just say he's sorry and ask them to forgive him.

What does the Bible mean by "original sin"? Where does the Bible talk about it?

What does the Bible mean by "original sin"? Our preacher talks about original sin sometimes, and I'm not sure I know what he means or why it's important. Where does the Bible talk about it?

A friend says the Bible is very negative toward women, and this is why society has oppressed women throughout history. Is this true?

A friend of mine says the Bible is very negative toward women, and this is why society has oppressed women throughout history. Is this true?

Is there anything I can do to make up for all my lost years? I wish I hadn't lived the way I did. It wasn't worth it.

I'm in my 70s and almost completely crippled with arthritis. I know this is God's punishment for all the years I ignored Him. Is there anything I can do to make up for all those lost years? I wish I hadn't lived the way I did. It wasn't worth it.