“I know you answer letters fairly often from people who are in prison, but I wish you'd say something to encourage those of us who are the members of their families. Having my husband in prison is the hardest thing I've ever had to face, and yet no one seems to care.”
“Three months after my divorce, I rushed into another marriage because I was so lonely, but it was a big mistake. I won't go into the details, but the marriage is over now and hopefully, I've learned something. Please warn people to be very careful before they remarry. I wish I had.”
“Does it really do any good to pray for things like our nation and world peace? I get very discouraged when I read the headlines every day, and it doesn't seem to me like our prayers are doing much good.”
“Is it a sin to be depressed? The doctor says I have a chemical imbalance in my brain that he can treat with medication, but a friend of mine says I shouldn’t do this because I just need to pray and have more faith. Who is right? I can’t stand this much longer.”
“After we were married, my husband just about fried his brain with drugs. A year ago, he turned to Jesus and hasn't touched them since, but he damaged his brain so badly that he can't concentrate on anything or even keep a job. He gets very discouraged, but what can I do to help him?”
“I was a single mother when my three children were young, and now I feel so guilty because my son is in prison. I know it must be my fault. I really tried to be a good mother, but I guess I failed. What should I have done differently? Maybe your answer will help other single parents.”
“My grandmother was a very religious person, and she always listened to you whenever you came on television. I guess I've always thought that this was fine for her but it wasn't for me, but now the doctor says I have breast cancer, and I'm scared. How can I get the kind of faith she had?”
“My extended family is fairly large, and it’s like a soap opera. You name it, it happens—affairs, divorces, rehab, kids in court, etc. How can I help them? I’m the only Christian in the family as far as I know, but to be honest, sometimes I wish I could just wash my hands of them.”
“Does God give up on us sometimes? I'm afraid He has abandoned me, and I guess I can't blame Him because I know I've let Him down and been a big disappointment to Him. Is it too late to get things right?”
“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?”
“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?”
“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?”