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Stephanie's avatar
May 22nd, 2009 by Stephanie B

Question

How do you keep your cool when someone says that God is working with the devil?

Answer

We always have the Truth, God’s Word, to fall back on when somebody is speaking lies. It is frustrating, for sure, when somebody says things that just aren’t true about God. However, if you open God’s Word we can find peace in what it says is true about God.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isa. 6:3). God is holy, which means he is totally separated from evil. "God is light and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). If this is the case, then there is no way God could be working with the devil.

Throughout the Bible you can read of a great opposition between God and the Devil. Nowhere in the Bible do they team up and work together. Here are a few verses that show that opposition: 2 Timothy 2:26, James 3:15, John 17:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 John 5:18, John 10:10, Luke 4, Acts 13:9-11, Ephesians 6:11-18, and 1 Peter 5:6-10.

So to answer your question directly, you keep your cool by relying on the Truth you know. You have a couple choices as to how to deal with the situation. You can try to explain why it is absurd to think that God would be working with the devil or you can simply remove yourself from the situation. God must open people’s hearts for them to see and understand Truth. Pray that God will work in this person’s heart. It’s difficult to be mad at somebody when we are praying for them.

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Stephanie's avatar
May 19th, 2009 by Stephanie B

Question

How do you help someone when their husband dies suddenly?

Answer

This must be a very devastating time for that person. First of all, don’t try to lessen their loss. When speaking to them don’t give them easy answers for why such a tragedy occurred. Often times being a listening ear for a grieving individual is more beneficial than talking.

One thing that could be especially helpful for a grieving widow is to offer practical help. You could offer to run errands, take care of the children (if there are any), help with funeral preparations, or do household chores. Many of life’s normal tasks can seem overwhelming following a tragedy. You may be surprised by how much comfort this kind of practical support can be for a person.

Everyone grieves differently. When you are spending time with this individual allow them their space to grieve the way that feels right to them. Also, realize that they may show intense feelings and mood swings in the days and weeks to come.

Lastly, realize that mourning takes time. Don’t rush the survivor. Be supportive of them no matter how long it takes. And recognize that although they will learn to cope with their loss, they will never "get over it." Instead, they will simply learn to live with it.

These are simply suggestions. Do what feels right to you in the situation.

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Stephanie's avatar
May 1st, 2009 by Stephanie B

Question

I recently became a Christian, but I don’t feel like my life is getting any better. Why is that?

Answer

Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean that life will all of a sudden be wonderful. In fact, the Bible talks about Christians having to endure all sorts of trials in life. In what way is your life not the way you would hope for it to be?

There are many circumstances in life that are simply beyond our control. Praying about it and relying on God’s provision is sometimes the only thing we can do. And sometimes God chooses to answer our prayers differently than we would like.

There are also situations in life where we have the choice to continue doing things the way we have been doing them or change. Are there any situations in your life that could be better if you would just choose to live life differently? The Holy Spirit works a transformation in us when we accept Christ, however, we must also choose to live in that new life. "You were taught, with regard to your former life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

When you live your life according to God’s Word you don’t escape all trouble, however, life does go smoother because God’s ways are always for our benefit. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).

Take some time to evaluate what it is in your life that you wish were different. Determine whether it is something you can change and how you would go about changing it. No matter what it is, be in prayer about it. At times we just have to endure some hardship. This could be one of those times for you.

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