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For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
Is It Wrong to Want God to Take Me?
By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services
Q: I had heart bypass surgery a few months ago, and I don't like
what's been happening to me. I know I ought to be happy I came through
it, but I've been depressed and short-tempered since then, and that
isn't like me. I know it's hard on my family. Sometimes I wish God
would just take me. -- D.W.
A: Have you talked honestly with your doctors about this? Sometimes, I understand, the medication a person takes after major surgery needs to be adjusted to avoid side effects like this. This may not be the answer for you -- but it is a good place to start.
You also need to remember that major surgery is a shock to anyone's system. Elsewhere in your letter you acknowledge that you have always been a very active person, and you find it frustrating not to be able to do everything you once did. But it takes time to recover from major surgery; a surgeon once told me that it may take up to a year.
Don't expect too much, therefore, and give your body the time and rest it needs to recover. Our bodies are very complicated, and what happens to one part of our body affects every other part. I often recall the psalmist's statement: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). In my own experience, trying to do too much after a major surgery or illness actually slows the healing process.
The most important thing I can tell you, however, is that God is with you, and His love surrounds you just as much now as it did a year ago. Draw closer to Christ each day, thanking and trusting Him more and more -- even when you don't feel like it.
========
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 the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 08/29/2008
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Posted Comments:
09-01-2008 00:54
wrote:
HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR JOB IS COMPLETE WHEN HE CAN TAKE YOU AT A MOMENTS NOTICE WHENEVER HE CHOOSES TO? MANY HAVE SAID WHEN THEY'D LIKE TO BE TAKEN,eg WHEN THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF PREACHING,etc BUT GOD DECIDES THE MOMENT, NOT YOU!
08-30-2008 22:37
Rhonda Hager wrote:
Is It Wrong To Want God To Take Me?
I belive that it is wrong to want God to take you/me, even though I am looking forward to the day that I will be at home in Heaven. However, in the meantime, I am about my Father's business and don't want God to take me until my job is complete.
08-30-2008 02:24
Christian wrote:
Anti depressants
Revmark, are you saying that anybody who has gone through major surgery is going to need to go on anti depressents? I didn't know this was connected to major surgery. I thought depression is something that's inherited. I have also heard some preachers preach strongly against it saying if you truly trust in God,you have no reason to be depressed. There was a time when I was suisidal, recommitted my life to Christ and was healed. Years later, I'm on anti depressents and ashamed to admit it, as if I failed God. Is it OK for Christians to take anti depressents?
08-29-2008 08:43
Revmark wrote:
To want God to take you.
Another thing I forgot to mention. I also had suicidal thoughts which was brought on by the medication I was taking. So as Dr Graham has already said, you need to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling.
And I can almost guess that you are taking an anti depressant. That seems to be the norm for people who have to go through major surgery. Those drugs can have that same effect.
God Bless
And I can almost guess that you are taking an anti depressant. That seems to be the norm for people who have to go through major surgery. Those drugs can have that same effect.
God Bless
08-29-2008 08:37
Revmark wrote:
To want God to take you.
I went through major spinal cord surgery. My spinal cord was injured by a disc that not only ruptured, but it exploded and left a flat spot on my spinal cord. I was on heavy medication for a long time, which affected my mood something terrible. To give you an example, I smashed 3 cordless telephones. And there were 3 days after a procedure, that I lost my memory, because of the medicine used to put me out, and my boys told me I was cursing like a sailor.
But let me tell you what else was going on. I was very strong, lifting heavy batteries every day, until I lifted 2 the wrong way, which ruptured the disc.
I started losing the use of my arms and legs, and still have only a 10% weight limit, and am now 95% disabled.
What was frustrating for me was, I was used to doing everything for myself, and now have to be dependent on others to help me, and sometimes that help doesn't come as fast as I would like it to, because if I had my strength, I would have had it done already.
You have to face facts, like I did. You can no longer do what you used to, BUT, you still have a job to do for God. You are not useless, and that is a trick of the enemy. Pray and ask God to show you where He wants to use you now, and let Him lead you. I promise your demeanor will change as time goes on, and be patient with those who are there to help you.
God Bless
But let me tell you what else was going on. I was very strong, lifting heavy batteries every day, until I lifted 2 the wrong way, which ruptured the disc.
I started losing the use of my arms and legs, and still have only a 10% weight limit, and am now 95% disabled.
What was frustrating for me was, I was used to doing everything for myself, and now have to be dependent on others to help me, and sometimes that help doesn't come as fast as I would like it to, because if I had my strength, I would have had it done already.
You have to face facts, like I did. You can no longer do what you used to, BUT, you still have a job to do for God. You are not useless, and that is a trick of the enemy. Pray and ask God to show you where He wants to use you now, and let Him lead you. I promise your demeanor will change as time goes on, and be patient with those who are there to help you.
God Bless
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