A: Yes, we’re all different in our personalities, and surely one of life’s greatest challenges is learning to get along with people who are different from us. On the other hand, have you ever thought about how dull life would be if we were all exactly alike?!
Does this mean we can never change, or that even the rough edges of our personalities can never be smoothed away? No, of course not — especially as we face them and seek God’s help to overcome them. I think, for example, of the Apostle Peter in the New Testament. He was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers — but at times he could be impetuous and even cowardly, denying on one occasion that he knew Jesus (see Luke 22:57). But toward the end of his life Peter was a much different man, as we see in his letters.
Take your own situation as an example. You may never become the happy-go-lucky, carefree person your sister seems to be, but you can become someone who faces each day with optimism and freedom from constant worry. The key is to learn to trust God and His love, instead of your feelings and fears.
Begin by asking Jesus Christ to come into your life — beginning today. Then when worries begin to flood your heart and mind, turn them over to God in prayer and trust each situation into His hands. The Bible is filled with God’s promises; discover them and learn to trust them. The Bible says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165).
Q: My husband and I got along fine for the first few years of our marriage, but now we argue all the time. Mostly it’s about money, because there never seems to be enough. I hate what’s happening to us, but I don’t know the answer. Can our marriage be saved? — Mrs. L. McD.
A: Yes, your marriage can be saved, and I pray that you and your husband will do everything you possibly can — with God’s help — not only to rescue it, but to make it even better.
I have often said that a good marriage actually involves three people: the husband, the wife — and God. After all, God gave marriage to us, and He knows what it takes to make it the happy and secure relationship that He intended it to be. His original design for marriage is still valid: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18).
This is why I urge you and your husband to turn to God and submit your lives and your marriage to Him. Begin by asking Jesus Christ to come into your lives — and then ask Him to help you work together on the problems that are destroying your relationship. Instead of trying to control each other, ask what you can do to help your spouse.
As part of this, ask God to help you see your money from His point of view. God knows that we need money — but He also knows that we often waste it or want things we don’t really need. Work together on a budget, and ask God to help you follow the Bible’s mandate: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5).
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit www.billygraham.org.
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