Dear Dr. B,

Recently, while going to lunch with a friend, our car was almost struck by another car. My friend shouted out, ‘Good grief! That guy needs to learn how to drive.’  After things calmed down, I jokingly asked him if he really thought that grief was good. We both laughed and began to share some of the disappointments that had occurred in our lives. We both concurred that there was ‘zero value’ in grief of any kind.  As a Christian, I have thought a lot about our discussion that day. It seems as if our conclusion might have had something missing.  Do you think that grief could ever be good? Would the Bible give me some insight on the subject?  

Sincerely,

Michael

Dear Michael,

Good grief.  You have asked some very intriguing questions!

Please know that I’m not minimizing your sincerity or the importance of your questions. I merely repeated the phrase in order to emphasize the fact th...

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Dear Dr. B,

I have done many terrible things to my friends and family. I cannot believe that I have been so stupid and selfish. I recently accepted Christ as my Lord, but I am still dealing with guilt. I want to try and restore my broken relationships, but I don’t know how to do it. Lately I’ve been thinking that I may be beyond forgiveness. Please help me.

Sincerely, Jayme 

Dear Jayme,

It is good that you have chosen to be responsible for your selfish behavior. Your desire to be a responsible person will pay you great dividends and will bring healing to those whom you have offended. It is going to take some time before you sort out some of your feelings, but trust God to help you. Let’s begin with your inner struggle with guilt. 

Saint Paul addressed this matter in his letter to the Christians in Rome. “For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your ow...

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