Question: "Mr. McLemore, I am in almost constant pain from various health problems. I am often depressed, largely due to my pain, and I sometimes question whether God cares about me. Do you have any advice to give me?"

Answer: My heart goes out to you. It is easy to understand how your plight could get you down, and it is not surprising that you should sometimes wonder if God cares. I would encourage you to pour out your pain honestly and forthrightly before the throne of grace in prayer. Read through Job and the Psalms and you can see that such is an expression of faith in the God who is there and who cares even though it may seem that he is absent and is unconcerned. Consider your lot as an opportunity to grow. You may not appreciate it at first glance, but God’s allowing you to experience these things is an indication of his confidence in you and his desire for you to be strengthened by your experience (see Job 1and 2 and James 1:3-12). Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He cares, understands, and will help you if you will continue to trust in him (Hebrews 4:14-16).