How do I know if I’m “enabling” my spouse’s compulsive gambling problem? I don’t want to do anything that might encourage his behavior. And while I’m on the subject, what exactly does it mean to be an “enabler”?
Life Changes Q&As
How can I best minister to someone who has lost a family member to suicide? My good friend’s son recently took his own life, and I’m at a loss as to what I should do or say to her. Can you help me?
Is suicide unforgiveable?
Is it a bad idea to become romantically involved with a fellow employee? I think I’m in love with a man who works in my office. I know it’s often considered unprofessional to date a co-worker, and I’m not entirely certain about his feelings for me. The last thing I want to do is place …
Do you have any suggestions for an aging single woman with no immediate family who is seriously worried about what’s going to happen to her in old age? I know that God holds widows close to His heart and calls the church to help care for them if they have no close relatives, but I …
How can I know God’s “calling” for my life? For years I’ve been working at a difficult, uninteresting job. It has never brought me much in the way of happiness or satisfaction, but it has allowed me to provide for my family. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the higher priority. Meanwhile, I’m always hearing …
How can I forgive my deceased father for his cruel words and behavior? He treated me horribly when I was a kid, and as a result my relationship with him was strained and distant until the day he died. I never worked things out with him in person, and now I’m struggling with feelings of …
How important is exercise and physical activity for a woman in her late seventies? I’d like to help my mother preserve her health as long as possible, but I don’t want to push too hard. Can you suggest any reasonable guidelines? What kinds of exercise are best for a person at this stage of life?
How can I come alongside a compulsive gambler and encourage him to take steps to overcome his addiction? After observing my husband’s behavior, seeking out the opinions of pastors and friends, and researching the issue on my own, I’ve come to the conclusion that he has a serious problem in this area. I’d like to …
How can I overcome the sadness I feel since my husband died?
Why should I go to college? The way I see it, college isn’t shaping the next generation into productive adults and leaders, and it doesn’t help individual students achieve their personal goals. Why bury yourself in debt just because everyone else expects you to pursue “higher education”? Why waste several years of your life earning …
Could my struggle with bulimia and anorexia stem from a lack of understanding of my identity in Christ? A friend recently suggested this possibility, and I’m not sure what to think of it. I’ve been struggling with eating disorders ever since I was a teenager, but I never considered it a spiritual problem. Does my …
Do you have any assistance to offer to someone who seriously wants to stop drinking? Where do I find the professional help I need? I’m desperate to overcome my problem with alcohol, but hard experience has convinced me that I can’t beat this addiction on my own. Now my wife is threatening to take our …
How can I love and care for my elderly mother when we live on opposite sides of the country? My dad died several years ago, and my mom has been in decline ever since. Fortunately, two of my siblings still live within twenty minutes of her home, so I don’t worry about her needs being …
Is it normal to experience deep grief after the unexpected termination of a pregnancy? I recently lost my first child through miscarriage, and my husband and I are surprised at how devastating this experience has been for us. Is this typical?
What are your thoughts on the merits of medical marijuana? Do you think it should be legalized? My newspaper has run a series of stories recently about its supposed benefits. I really don’t know what to think. Can you help me sort this out?
How can I help a friend who was recently raped? So far, I’m the only person she’s told. She’s paralyzed with feelings of shame and guilt. She’s also afraid that she’ll only make a bad situation worse if she reports the incident or goes to the police. What should I do?
Why is it important to identify specific financial objectives? How does this fit in with what Jesus said about letting tomorrow “worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34)? If I make plans and set monetary goals of my own, doesn’t this rule out the necessity of trusting God on a day-by-day basis?
Should we keep tithing to our church while trying to pay off debts? My husband and I are on a tight budget and trying our best to pay off a large backlog of debt that has been building over the past several years. Would it be better to put our giving on hold until we’ve …
Can you help me understand whether I have a serious problem with alcohol? Here’s my situation. I’m a hassled and harried mother of three young children. After school, I pick up my kids and go to the market, where I have to rush to grab a few things and get out of the store before …
