My Answer: Layoff not an occasion for loss of faith
Q: The holidays were really bad for me, because my company laid off a number of employees (including me) just a few weeks before Christmas. I’ll get unemployment benefits and all that, but I feel so useless and depressed. You’ll probably tell me to pray, but I don’t even feel like it. What should I do? — H.T.
A: You’re right: I do urge you to pray — because when we pray, we’re admitting that we’re helpless and can’t solve our problems on our own. Isn’t that your situation?
And sometimes we need to pray the most when we least feel like it. You’ve just had a deep emotional shock, and it’s not surprising that you feel useless and depressed. But even if you don’t feel like it, turn to God and trust your life and your future into his hands.
You may think your situation is hopeless, but God doesn’t. May the psalmist’s experience become yours: “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.... Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy” (Psalm 130:1-2).
What should you pray for? Pray first of all that you’ll begin to see yourself through God’s eyes, and not just through the eyes of your circumstances. God made you, and you are not useless in his eyes. No, I don’t know what he has in store for you in the future, but don’t believe the lie that you’re useless or of no value — because you aren’t.
Then ask God to guide you in the future. Perhaps he has another job for you, or perhaps he’ll open up opportunities for retraining. In addition, ask him to use you to help others right now — volunteering in your community or church, for example. Use these days also to draw closer to Christ through prayer and his word.
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Q: Both my parents were alcoholics. I always swore I’d never go down that path, but now I’m afraid I have. What’s wrong with me? I know alcohol will destroy me, but I can’t seem to stop, no matter how many times I say I’m going to. Can God help me? — R.P.
A: The most important thing I can say is that God cares about you and doesn’t want you to destroy yourself. And because he loves you, he wants to help you turn away from the path you’re on and set your feet instead on another path — Christ’s path.
This is why I pray you’ll turn to God and admit your need to him. He knows all about your struggles and failures, but he hasn’t rejected you. In fact, he loves you, and you can be completely honest with him. Then by faith invite Jesus Christ to come into your life — and he will. He’ll not only forgive you, but he’ll also be with you and help you.
The psalmist said, “The Lord is my strength ... my heart trusts in him, and he helps me” (Psalm 28:7).
How will he help you? First, he’ll help you understand why alcohol has become such an important part of your life. For example, perhaps your parents didn’t know how to deal with their problems and used alcohol to escape from them, and now you do the same. A trained counselor may be able to help you here; your doctor or pastor may know what resources are available in your community.
Then God will give you a new desire to rebuild your life, with his help. It may not be easy, but “Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
(Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM; or visit https://www.billygraham.org.)