Answers

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

My daughter-in-law and I attend the same church, but she seems to avoid me. What have I done wrong?

I wish I knew what was wrong between my daughter-in-law and me. We got along fine the first year or so, but now she almost seems to avoid me. It's especially hard because we go to the same church and see each other regularly. What have I done wrong?

I've heard that the Bible teaches evil will grow stronger toward the end, and I can't help but wonder if we're living in the last days.

Do you think we might be living in the last days, and that the end of the world is coming soon? I've heard that the Bible teaches evil will grow stronger toward the end, and I can't help but wonder if we're living in those days.

How can I get the Holy Spirit? I gave my life to Jesus two years ago, but I know I need the Spirit's power also.

How can I get the Holy Spirit? I gave my life to Jesus two years ago, but I know I need the Spirit's power also, because I have a hard time fighting temptation.

I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and it's really sent me into despair. Why is God punishing me?

I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and it's really sent me into despair. Why is God punishing me? I believe in Jesus and I've always tried to be a good Christian, but what did I do to deserve this?

Is there life on other planets?

Is earth the only planet in our solar system that has life, do you think, or is there life on other planets? I like to watch science fiction programs on TV that talk about life on other planets, but I wonder if the Bible says anything about this.

How do you explain the fact that the Bible says in one place that God can't look at evil, while in another place it says that God sees everything?

How do you explain the fact that the Bible says in one place that God can't look at evil, while in another place it says that God sees everything? I'm not trying to ask a trick question, but I've honestly never understood this. Is it a contradiction?

I think it's ridiculous to say there is such a thing as right and wrong.

I know preachers like you earn their living by condemning sin all the time, but I think it's ridiculous to say there is such a thing as right and wrong. Right and wrong are a matter of personal opinion—it's whatever you think they are. We shouldn't be slaves to some outdated moral code.

Our church is getting ready to elect officers in a few months. What kind of people should we look for?

Our church is getting ready to elect officers in a few months. What kind of people should we look for? I'm on the nominating committee, but we're a new congregation and we don't have much experience with these things.

When someone dies, do they go to heaven immediately?

When someone dies, do they go to heaven immediately, or do they have to wait until the end of time before they can go into God's presence? My wife died a few months ago, and I worry about this.

My parents warned me not to marry my fiance. Now he's divorced me and I can't bring myself to face them. What should I do?

My parents warned me not to marry my fiance, but I went ahead anyway, and as a result we broke off all contact. But now I realize why they were against the marriage, because he turned out to be very abusive, unfaithful, lazy—you name it. Now he's divorced me. I need my parents but I can't bring myself to face them. What should I do?

I'm afraid I'm addicted to painkillers. Will God help me somehow?

I injured my back in a car accident a few years ago, and now I'm afraid I'm addicted to painkillers. I get prescriptions from several different doctors who don't know I'm seeing anyone else. I can't live without those pills but I'm scared of what might happen to me if I don't quit taking them. Will God help me somehow?

I'm a widower in my 60s, and I've met a widow in her 60s. Would it be wrong for her to move in with me?

I'm a widower in my late 60s, and recently I met a widow who is also in her 60s. Neither of us wants to remarry, but what would be wrong with her moving in with me? It's not like she's going to get pregnant or anything. We're lonely just living by ourselves.