Q.DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Two of my friends are very religious, but both of them have lots of health and financial problems, and I don’t see that their faith is doing them any good. They say I ought to believe like they do, but why should I? I might end up the same way. — F.D.

A. DEAR F.D.: Let me ask you a question: If some day you end up with the same problems your friends now have, how will you react? Where will you turn for the strength and hope you’ll need?

No, life hasn’t been easy for your two friends; God hasn’t promised that any of us will be exempt from life’s troubles. But in the midst of their troubles, your friends have found strength — not from themselves, but from God. And if you ask them about this, I’m sure they’ll tell you that God has made the difference. The Apostle Paul said that even when troubles come, if we know Christ “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Isn’t it better to face life’s problems with God than without him? When we know Christ and have committed our lives to him, we have an inner resource to help us in difficult times — and that resource is God himself. Your friends have discovered this, and I pray you will, too. The Bible says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

But you need Christ for another reason — one far more serious. Even if your life right now is relatively easy, some day you will die and enter eternity, and when you do, you will face God. Don’t gamble with your soul, but put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and discover the joy of his presence every day.

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