How can I handle worry? I’m a perfectionist, and I really struggle with this. I worry a great deal about everything in life, but especially about my children. Fears and anxieties about what could or might happen to them out in the world are a constant feature of my everyday life. You don’t have to …
Life Changes Q&As
What can I do to ensure my aging mom’s safety and security? She lives alone, and I worry that she’s becoming increasingly vulnerable to abuse from outsiders. How can I tell if she’s in any immediate danger?
Should I claim what I donate to God and the church as a deduction on my income tax? How would this fit in with what Jesus says about giving in secret?
As a widow in my mid-sixties, should I pay off my home or invest the money my husband left me? What’s the very best use I can make of these funds?
How can we help ease the transition of moving our aging loved one into a full-time care facility? I’ve heard of something called “transfer trauma,” but I don’t know exactly what it is or how it’s likely to affect my mother. Can you give me some idea of what to expect?
What can I do to establish and maintain an effective relationship with my doctor? I’ve had some pretty lousy experiences in the past, but I’m having some health problems and I know I shouldn’t put off getting the attention I need. A friend just told me about a new doctor that I’m considering seeing. What …
What can I do when the task of caring for my aging parent leaves me feeling tired, discouraged, confused, and torn in several different directions all the time? I guess I didn’t realize it at first, but this is an exhausting job! I’m already burned out! How can I survive without losing my mind?
When health insurance is available to both spouses, is it wise for each to sign up for coverage?
When it comes to housing, what are some of the pros and cons of renting and buying? My wife and I have been married about four years. The subject of buying our own home has come up recently, but I’m not sure we’re prepared for that kind of financial commitment.
How can I help my aging father deal with his physical pain and discomfort? I’m his primary caregiver. He’s never been very communicative, and I have reasons for believing that he’s hurting a great deal more than he lets on. I’d like to help him manage that pain, but he’s not very cooperative when it …
What are some of the most common ways scam artists victimize the elderly? How can I protect my parents against this kind of abuse?
Where do I turn for help with my spouse’s problem with substance abuse and drug addiction? It has had a devastating impact on our marriage and family, and I feel as if I’ve just about reached the end of my rope.
Is my husband going through “male menopause”? Lately he’s been irritable and moody, but when I ask him about it he says he can’t put a finger on anything. We’re both in our mid-fifties, and I remember that when I went through menopause I felt a lot like my husband seems to be feeling now. …
Is it normal to be weighed down by negative emotions while caring for an aging loved one? When my dad had a stroke, my wife and I took him into our home because we thought it was the right thing to do. I guess I expected to feel good about myself for doing such an …
Would it be wrong for a Christian to go into business with an unbeliever? I’m thinking about doing so, but was wondering if it would be a case of being “unequally yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
What’s the wisest way to handle my finances during a period of recession? How do I plan ahead when there’s so much economic uncertainty? And how can I avoid setbacks in the future?
Should I get rid of my credit cards? They’re eating me alive. Some people tell me to cut them up, but I can’t because my job requires me to travel a lot. How can I hold on to them and overcome my debt problem at the same time?
How can a loser like me ever be happy? I hate myself for who and what I am. I hate myself for the laundry that’s not done, for the dirty socks and clothes on the floor, for a bunch of clean and unfolded clothes, for dirty dishes all over the house. I feel like the …
How long should I take antidepressants? After struggling with anxiety and depression for several years, I finally decided to see a doctor about my problem. He put me on an antidepressant, and it’s definitely improved my mood. But I’m worried that I’ll have to take this drug for the rest of my life. Would it …
What would it take to help an aging parent maintain the greatest possible sense of his own human dignity, worth, and independence? My wife and I are more than willing to take care of my aging father, but he’s always been a proud man, and we don’t want to crush his spirit. How do we …
