“My mother died a few months ago, and I can't believe how much squabbling there's been over her estate. She didn't have much (and she also didn't have a will), but it seems like everyone is trying to grab as much as they can. Why are people so selfish?”
“My sisters and I never got along, and it's been many years since we've even tried to get together. But I understand one sister just survived breast cancer, and I'm beginning to regret all those lost years. Is there anything I can do to make up for lost time? Or should I even try?”
“Do I have to become a preacher in order to serve God? I'm in high school and trying to decide what to do with my life. I like people, but I'm no good at public speaking and hate being in front of a crowd. But if God wants me to be a preacher, I guess I'll have to get over that.”
“Is it wrong to want to make money and do well? Or does God frown on that? My family never had very much and I've always been determined to do better, but am I wrong? Or does the Bible even say?”
“My husband is getting very discouraged because he hasn't been able to find a job in his field, or to keep any job the last few years. He says he guesses he's always going to be a failure. He's almost afraid to look now, for fear he'll end up failing again. What should he do?”
“We love our son and daughter-in-law, but they let our grandchildren (ages 6 and 8t) watch virtually anything on television, even if it's full of violence or sex or bad language. Should we say anything? Or are we just being old-fashioned?”
“I guess I behaved the same way when I was a teenager, but my daughter (who's 16) goes around with a sullen attitude all the time. No matter what I tell her, she just rolls her eyes as if I'm the dumbest person on earth. Will she ever grow up?”
“I graduated from college recently, and now I can't get a decent job. I have a temporary job in a restaurant, but I'm beginning to think I wasted four years of my life by going to college. I know this isn't a spiritual question, but do you have any advice?”
“I'm old and sick and stuck in a nursing home now, and I don't understand why God even keeps me alive. I'm tired of living and I want to go to Heaven — the sooner the better. Is it wrong for me to ask God to take me?”
“I've been in constant pain the last two years because of some back surgery that didn't work. Now I'm afraid I've gotten hooked on painkillers. I get prescriptions from several doctors who don't know I'm getting them from the others. I know that's wrong, but I can't stand the pain. Why doesn't God take it away?”
“Does God always punish us when we do wrong? I used to think so, but now I'm not sure. I have a friend who has no use for God and lives a very immoral life, and yet she seems a lot happier than some of the Christians I know.”
“Our son no longer believes in God. He’s been influenced by his high school science teacher, who says we should only believe in things we can prove, and we can’t prove God exists. What can we say to him? I’m afraid it’s causing a lot of conflict in our family.”