Daughter Dilemmas
Welcome to week ten of Daughter Dilemmas, a weekly ask column devoted to exploring hard questions, together!Asking the hard questions, the messy questions and the just plain awkward questions is important. We should not disqualify them simply because of the discomfort they bring.Finding the courage to ask honest, hard questions enables us to see that others are asking the exact same thing. It spurs (much needed) conversation and allows us to consider perspectives we may not have otherwise considered.*Please note: We are not therapists, doctors or life coaches. Our answers are not intended to give you an instant fix, but instead to point you to Jesus Christ, our Savior. Our response to each of the questions below are rooted in what we believe to be true according to our understanding of the Gospel, as well as what we believe God has laid on our hearts to share after prayerful consideration. More than anything, it is our prayer that this ask column glorifies God and blesses His people! May it encourage you in your walk with Christ and enable you to see just how much of a good thing asking hard questions can be. May it lead you into His loving embrace.To submit a question anonymously, click here.
How can I overcome sexual temptation?
We are bombarded with sexual images in this world which makes it so difficult to put off our sexual desires. Plus, the liberal agenda in this society promotes sex and suggests our Christian values are stifling us, making us feel embarrassed for suggesting we try to overcome our lust. But those poor souls are lost in this world, and we know that this world is temporary and God wants us focused on the eternal. Practical ways to overcome sexual temptation are: avoid watching or reading sexually suggestive things, don’t overindulge in alcohol--which lowers your inhibitions and heightens your desires, don’t put yourself in intimate situations with the opposite sex, and find a friend that can help hold you accountable. Also, memorize Scripture, like Philippians 4:8-9. Write it on cards and stick them around the house like on your TV or nightstand. And keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He loved you enough to die for you. Love Him enough to put Him first in your heart--before your worldly sexual desires.
In Africa, their is a drug which is known as 'Miraa' which is a plant. Why did God create that plant if it was to be abused as a drug?
I truly believe that all of God’s creation is good. This plant is good too when used properly. It is because humans are sinful, greedy, arrogant and selfish that it gets abused. That’s the way it is with all drug abuse. It is heartbreaking to us, and even more so to God. Abuse and addiction has a stronghold on this world and that comes from the father of lies, not our Heavenly Father. He wants us to glorify Him in all we do. He wants us to find our joy in Him and the salvation He has given us by His grace and mercy--not in this creation, and certainly not in drug abuse. Pray for those who don’t know Him to be saved by His Holy Spirit and freed from the stronghold of their deadly mirra/khat addiction.
What do you do when you are in your mid-twenties & have no sense of direction/calling? How do I find it?
God is calling you to glorify Him in everything you do. If that is working at McDonalds, then do it with joy, shining God’s light. God doesn’t directly tell most people what He wants them to do, but He gives us gifts. He wants us to discover those gifts and use them in whatever we find to do. As long as we are not dishonoring Him with our actions or words, then we are doing His will. Take a quiz to determine your gifts. There are tons of quizzes out there. Here’s one. You don’t have to have a direct calling to move forward. We are called to be joyful in all circumstances. If you haven’t figured out what you want to do with your life yet, that’s okay. You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31, ESV), and you’ll be doing God’s will.
What is the importance of memorizing Scripture?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV). When we memorize Scripture it becomes that voice in our head in a difficult situation, when we need to make a decision, when we need comfort, when we need strength. It reminds us of the truth to keep our focus on the eternal and keep our feet on the right path. Because sometimes we don’t have access to our Bibles (or the internet) and having Scripture memorized keeps us close to God at all times.