Heavenly Advice
Troubles plague every soul on this planet. Confiding his problems in others, man seeks to find the answers, even though no person really knows the antidote to humankind's physical, mental, emotional, and social diseases. If only we could ask the Big Man himself, right?
Boyfriend Problems
Dear Mr. Al Mighty,
My boyfriend and I are not doing so hot. Our relationship falls apart more and more with each passing day, and I have no idea where it went wrong or how to fix it. Maybe I should back up and start at the beginning. We met at high school band camp and both played the saxophone. Having the same sense of humor and favorite things, we hit it off right at the beginning. When he asked me out a couple weeks later, our friendship had solidified into a bond of loyalty and trust. We were never awkward as a couple; it was just sunshine and butterflies for the first couple months. Then summer's excitement and fall's happiness turned to winter's depression. We both got busy with school and extracurricular activities, so we had less time for each other. Neither one of us knew how to function with the less free time. Our connection suffered; he talked less and I distanced myself from him because of that. Then he got hurt that I wasn't leaning on him, and I got hurt that he expected me to trust him when we both had zero time for each other. Hanging by a thread, our relationship now weighs us down instead of bringing us care-free joy. Is it even possible to save us? Or should I just let us both move on? Sincerely, Miserably-in-Love |
Dear Miserably-in-Love,
First off, it breaks my heart to hear of such young heartbreak. I wish you both the best of luck. Here is my advice. From your letter, your main concern is time and understanding your boyfriend's needs and frustrations as well as getting him to understand your own. The first step towards having both of you on the same page is communication. Not just talking, but relaying your true struggles and feelings. Neither one of you can expect the other to magically guess what is going on inside your heart; you must communicate your joy and pain. And you must listen as much as you talk, for my Word says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19). Keep you minds open to each other's points of view. Only then can you overcome the relationship-based obstacles together. The key to conquering your obstacles is teamwork. Respect, support, and love each other. Have I not said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet" (John 13:14)? Follow my example and serve each other. Yes, you should look out for your own well-being, but if you put your partner ahead of you in importance, it is amazing how most of your problems will reveal solutions. Also, keep in mind that this boy might not be the one meant for you to share a lifetime with. But if you can respect and learn from each other, you both will be better off, regardless of whether or not you stay together. Sincerely, Mr. Al Mighty |
Patience at work
Dear Mr. Al Mighty,
I work at an urgent care facility as a physician. My colleagues and I typically get along splendidly; however, one nurse irks us all. I've tried everything! Acting nice, avoiding contact, ignoring my pet-peeves, even politely addressing her about my frustration, but nothing works. Insisting on her abrasive language and rude behavior towards myself and patients, she creates an uncomfortable atmosphere in my office. How should I fix this predicament? I know I need to, not just for my sanity's sake, but for my fellow friends and patients. Sincerely, Desperate Doctor |
Dear Desperate Doctor,
I am very proud that you use your life to help others through medicine. Working long days, I know that you become stressed, especially with this nurse pushing your buttons. Here is my advice: continue to be better than her. Do not abase yourself down to her rude level. If she continues to refuse your polite requests, then refer her and let others handle her behavior. Remember, "Whatever work you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". Know that your kind character and reliable work ethic makes a meaningful impact on your patients' and co-workers' lives. I smile down on you for this. Stay strong and do not let this nurse take away from the good work you do. Sincerely, Mr. Al Mighty |
Cancer
Dear Mr. Al Mighty,
Struggling to keep myself together, I need help, advice, anything. My beautiful baby girl went with her mother to the doctor's office for her annual check-up yesterday. What they discovered scared and shocked them both. When I got home from work they shared their news: my precious child had leukemia. They had drawn blood and found an abnormal white blood cell count. One test led to another, and her doctor double checked the results, hoping for a different outcome, but to no avail. She diagnosed my daughter with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, or AML. Since her condition is acute, she must receive chemotherapy immediately to fight the growth and spread of her abnormal white blood cells. We are also looking for a bone marrow donor match. I am in an absolute panic. Overwhelmed with fear and guilt, I feel like I should have seen the signs. My daughter was acting more tired than normal, but she does juggle karate, AP classes, church choir, and serving as president of Habitat for Humanity. She has gotten many bruises, but again, my wife and I just assumed they were from her athletics. All the "what if's?" attack me. What if I had made her see a doctor sooner? What if we had caught it sooner? Will my failure as a father cost my daughter her life? Her mother and I are doing everything we can. Between the doctor visit and today we have done nothing but research on treatments and doctors. I need advice. I have no idea how to make it through this. I know my family will need me to lead this fight against my daughter's cancer, but right now I'm so full of stress and uncertainty that I hardly have enough strength to fight my own doubts. Sincerely, Worried-Sick Dad |
Dear Worried-Sick Dad,
I am so incredibly sorry that this disease attacked your daughter. Here is my advice: Remember, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified...for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). I know this trial looms over you like an immeasurable mountain; you see no way around or through it. But stand reassured that I will always have you and your family's back. Your daughter's suffering hurts Me just as much as it hurts you, if not more. Cling to Me and take the strength I can give you, that way you can be the solid rock of your family. Also know, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Impossible to accept now, but it might be your daughter's time. Only I know that. I am not saying that you should not fight for her life with everything you have. But I am saying that, at the end of the day, it might be her time to come home to Me. If that is her fate, I promise to watch her and love her and fill her with joy until you can join her. After all, my Word says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:38-39). Take comfort that I will always be with you. Know that I will protect and care for your daughter, whether she continues to live on the Earth or join me in Heaven. Have faith in My plan for her, for I hold her in the palm of My hand, just like I hold you. Be strengthened by My love, and hold onto the lifeline that is your faith through this tough time. Sincerely, Mr. Al Mighty |
Grades in Academics
Dear Mr. Al Mighty,
I'm a senior in high school. A straight A's student for the past 3 years, I have finished my early college decision applications already. I know that these colleges will request a final senior year transcript after I graduate, but I am struggling to maintain my academic excellence. Many of my classes fail to hold my interest. I know what field I want to go into and what career I wish to pursue, and some of my classes this semester have nothing to do with what I want to do for the rest of my life. Why should I care about those subjects at all? I still want to obtain my un-weighted 4.0, but it's hard to stay focused when my life is about to change with graduation, college, and moving out of the house where I've lived for the past eighteen years. Do you have any advice on how to keep me working towards my goal? Sincerely, Senioritis Sam |
Dear Senioritis Sam,
I know you see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you cannot simply stop walking and expect to make it to that light! In order to feel that light on your face and accomplish your journey, you must continue your work. Here is my advice: fight the senioritis that plagues your high school community. Show your dedication towards your future by continuing to push for success past the point where your peers have given up. Remember, your hard work will be rewarded: "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded" (2 Chronicles 15:7). Your college will ask for a transcript that shows your senior year grades. Show them that they made the right choice in accepting you into their school. Sincerely, Mr. Al Mighty |