On Christianity

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Does God get angry at me when I have doubts? Most of the time, my faith is fairly strong, but then something will happen that causes me to have doubts. Will God forgive me for this?

-- M.F.

DEAR M.F.: Although God knows everything that isn't right in our lives -- our doubts, our fears, our sins, and so forth -- one of the Bible's most comforting truths is that He still loves us, and He wants to forgive us and change us. The Bible says, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8).

At times, we make God angry when we sin, because it means we have deliberately chosen to rebel against Him and go our own way. But even then, His anger is mixed with sadness, because He still loves us and hates what sin does to us. Sin is like a deadly spiritual virus in our souls, and it will destroy us if we never seek God's forgiveness and help. The Bible warns, "The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished" (Nahum 1:3).

The real question for you, however, is this: What will you do with your doubts? Will you let them take root and grow in your heart and mind? Will you even take pride in displaying them (as some people do)? Or will you turn them over to God and ask Him to help you grow stronger in your faith?

Don't stand still in your faith. Instead, make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and then learn to walk with Him every day. Build your life on the foundation of God's Word, the Bible, and seek His help in prayer and in fellowship with other believers. The Bible says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4:8).

Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at

billygraham.org

ActiveStyle on 08/31/2015

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