Frightened

Dear Frightened:
I’m glad she has you for a friend! You did the right thing by telling an adult, but you need to tell someone else now. I encourage you to share this with your own parents. Try to get your friend to talk with your parents as well. Your folks will need to alert the authorities, because abuse is a crime! Continue to be there for your gal pal, pray for her and with her, and keep telling adults until someone finally does something! (If the adults you talk with don’t do anything, you’ll need to go to the authorities yourself.)

Dear Susie:
I feel completely hopeless. I broke up with my boyfriend. I had to move out of my house and into someone else’s home because we couldn’t afford the mortgage, and now my family is leaving the church I love for a different one.

I cry all the time. I had an argument with my mom about leaving our church, and now she won’t even talk to me. I wish God were here with me now. I feel like He doesn’t even care.

Hopeless

Dear Hopeless:
I’m sorry you had to move out of your house. It’s obvious that things are very stressful for you and your entire family right now. Can you take comfort in the fact that God is here with you right now? And He cares deeply about everything that concerns you. Try memorizing these verses for hope:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35; 38-39)

I hate it that you and your mom aren’t talking. Try writing her a note. Pour out your feelings on paper, but do it in a gentle and respectful way. I wish I could make the hurt go away. The best I can do is pray for you and direct you closer to the One who truly understands everything you’re feeling. We love you!

Dear Susie:
I’m enrolled in a required humanities class, and we’re studying different religions. I feel uncomfortable about this, because I’m a Christian, and I don’t need to learn about other religions. My teacher isn’t a Christian, and I’m hesitant in telling him about my faith, because I’m afraid he’ll try to sway me to a different belief. Should I take a Bible to class? Should I stand up for my beliefs?

Uncomfortable

Dear Uncomfortable:
I think it’s great that you’re studying different religions! What’s there to be afraid of? If you’re grounded in your own faith, and if you have an intimate, growing relationship with Christ, this shouldn’t faze you at all.

And by learning about Buddhism, Islam and other religions, you’re equipping yourself to witness to others who share those beliefs. Yes, take your Bible to class. And yes, stand up for your beliefs. But share your faith in a gentle and respectful manner, and ask God to help you choose your words carefully. He’ll tell you when to speak up, what to say and when to remain silent.

Dear Susie:
My boyfriend is Muslim. I know it’s my job as a Christian to convert him, but I don’t want to force my religion on him.

Help!

Dear Help:
It’s really NOT your job to convert him—or anyone. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit. You’re involved in what many people term “missionary dating.” You’re dating someone who’s not a Christian and hoping to convert him. This is dangerous, unwise and against Scripture (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Decide to date only Christian guys who share your morality and your faith. Pray for your friends who don’t know the Lord. Ask God to send another male into this boy’s life who can befriend him and share the Gospel with him.

I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m encouraging you to break off the relationship. You’re going against God’s will by dating a Muslim.