My Answer
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From the writings of the
Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Are the stories true of people dying, going to Heaven, and then coming back to tell about their experiences?
A: Best-selling books and blockbuster movies have been read and seen about people dying and coming back to life and telling about Heaven. There was much excitement, curiosity and confusion. Someone said, “No one has ever come back from the grave to speak of Heaven.”
This is true with one exception. His name is Jesus Christ. He left His glorious home in Heaven with God the Father and came to earth for one purpose. To demonstrate His magnificent love for mankind, He laid aside His glory and came as a humble baby. He lived thirty-three years and walked on earth to give us the hope of Heaven and the assurance of Heaven and said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. … I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2, ESV).
Then Jesus died, but He stayed in the grave only three days and was risen to new life.
Jesus is going to once again descend from Heaven and take out of this world those who have received His message and repented of sin. He said, “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3, ESV).
This is a glorious promise and one that every person can rely on if they belong wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture does not promise an earthly glimpse into Heaven. The most important thing for us is to know Christ while we still live; otherwise we will only know Him as Judge in death. Seek Christ and He will meet you in your need. “Come to Me … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Q: Why does the Bible say that the Lord may test people but it can result in gold?
A: When Job, of the Old Testament, considered the wonders of God in the midst of his trials and hardships, he proclaimed: “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
Anyone who goes through difficulties keeping their eyes on the Lord and trusting Him for the result, will come forth victoriously. The laws of nature provide insight.
A bar of raw steel may be purchased for a few dollars. But when that bar of steel has been thrust into the fires and processed, when it has been tempered and forged and made into tiny watch springs for expensive watches, that bar of raw steel is turned into something worth thousands of dollars. Fire and the skilled hands of master artisans make the difference in the value.
Just as the sun by its heat and light performs a thousand miracles a day in the plant kingdom, God through the refining fire of His Spirit performs a thousand miracles a day in the spiritual realm. His regenerating power can take the dull and ordinary things of our lives—even the burned-out ashes of our past—and forge them into something useful, even beautiful, for His purposes.
The Apostle Peter wrote concerning trials: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to (glorify Jesus Christ)” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Q: Can bouts of depression and anxiety cause physical illness?
A: Science has confirmed what the Bible taught centuries ago. There is a close relationship between our minds and bodies. Proverbs puts it this way: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (17:22).
But there is also a close relationship between our mental and physical health and the health of our spiritual lives. Guilt, fear, jealousy, bitterness, futility, escapism—these and a host of other problems are spiritual ills, brought about by the disease of sin. Like poison, they can sicken us in mind and body. There are many things that cause depression but anxiety is certainly one culprit and the more you feed anxious thoughts the more they grow.
But when Christ comes into our lives, He removes our guilt and takes away our fears. He gives us love for others and a new purpose in life. His joy and peace neutralize sin’s poison—and that promotes emotional and physical health.
Does that mean our emotional and physical problems will vanish? Not necessarily. But like a spring of pure water, God’s peace in our hearts brings cleansing and refreshment to our whole being.
The Bible is filled with passages that bring comfort and joy. Read them and dwell on them. If you want comfort in sorrow, light in darkness, peace in turmoil, and rest in weariness, the Lord offers it all through His word. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
