Life’s Answers

We seem to spend a lot of our time worrying. Jesus knows this, which is why he tells us not to worry.

Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Matthew 6:25-26

Nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, so treat today like it’s a gift. It’s too hard to try and solve all of life’s problems at the same time. So, take it one step at a time. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34

The Bible tells us to pray about the things that worry us. By praying about something, you’re handing it over to God.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

Even though some things really stir us up and make us worry, be encouraged that God wants to take the burden of your worries from you. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Sometimes life seems so hopeless that we ask why it’s worth keeping going. If that’s where you’re at right now, the following Bible passages may help you. You can use them as a prayer, or as a cry to God for help: Psalm 69:13-17 and Psalm 143:7-10.

God has a lifelong interest in you. He doesn’t want you to give up. Even when you’re experiencing utter despair and hopelessness, God still has a plan for you.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:15-16

God loves you so much that he sent his only son for you.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

If you feel there’s no way out, reach out to someone who can help. Talk to a chaplain, a Christian you know or a health professional. And ask God for help – he will give it. Jesus says so himself...

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Addictions are powerful and will cause damage in the life of an addict and sometimes even their loved ones. All areas of an addict’s life can be affected – the way they think, feel and behave. If you’re in the grip of addiction, you may be experiencing a sense of shame, regret, guilt or fear. You need to know that you’re not alone. God knows what you’re going through and wants to help you break free from addiction.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

It can be frightening to feel absolutely powerless over something. Maybe you’ve tried over and over again to break the cycle of addiction, but haven’t experienced any freedom or recovery. Acknowledge your weakness and ask God to make you strong.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25

Surrender your addiction to God. God wants to restore you and make you whole again.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10

You can’t do this alone. Speak to a health professional, a chaplain or a Christian you know and they’ll help you take the next step.

Life is a minefield of possible disasters and crises. Because of this, we can often become intensely anxious about the future. But God knows about your anxiety and wants to help you find a way through. Releasing your fears to God means that you release control to him. By doing this, you put yourself in a position to let God sort things out.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:5-8

God wants you to lean on him.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Trying hard to stop thinking about something only makes us think about it more. Ask God to help you with your anxiety by changing the way you think. He can transform you into a new person.

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Talk to a chaplain or another Christian you know to get the help you need.

We all get angry from time to time, towards others, ourselves or even towards God. Anger comes with being human, and living in a complex and sometimes hostile world.

But anger, hostility and rage can also cause serious damage to our relationship with God and our relationships with others, especially those we love or are close to. Acknowledge when you need help and talk to God. Ask him to help you with your anger and to show you the right people to talk to.

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:19-21

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21

Talking to someone always helps. Talk to a chaplain to get the help you need.

Feeling guilty about what you have done in the past can hold you back from becoming the person God intends you to be. Guilt can make us feel stupid and worthless, stuck in a downward spiral leading us further and further away from God. You’re not alone if you wonder if God would ever accept you in spite of the things you’ve done.

But the Bible tells us that everyone is guilty of sinning (wrongdoing).

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

The point of Jesus coming was to address the problem of sin. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17

Because of this, God made a way for us to put things right with him.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

God will forgive us when we confess to him the wrong things we’ve done.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

You can talk about this with another Christian you know or a chaplain.