Q. I'm facing a struggle right now and sometimes I am overwhelmed with feelings of sadness. Is it a sin for a Christian to be depressed?

Almost everyone gets depressed at some point in their lives, and Christians are certainly not immune to sadness or stress. Great biblical heroes succumbed to depression at various times-Moses, Elijah, and King David, for example. Elijah even despaired of his life. When wicked Queen Jezebel sought to kill the prophet, he ran into the wilderness and collapsed under a juniper tree. Elijah prayed, "Lord, go ahead and take my life." That was depression speaking.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers of all time, nearly died from depression. One Sunday while he was preaching to a full congregation, a mentally handicapped man stood up and screamed, "Fire! Fire!" The huge crowd stampeded for the doors and four members of Spurgeon's congregation were trampled to death. The great pastor's mind literally snapped from the tragedy. The deacons took him home, sought the best medical counsel available, and prayed around the clock for the survival of their pastor. For a few days it appeared that one of the greatest ministries of all time would be prematurely ended. But while walking in the garden, Spurgeon later said, it was as if a light suddenly pierced through the darkness and he could feel the presence of Jesus. Spurgeon's mind and his ministry were completely restored.

So it's quite normal for Christians-even the "super saints"-to experience depression in the midst of life's struggles. If the depression lasts for more than two or three weeks, you should see a doctor; clinical depression requires medical attention. Get a thorough physical examination to rule out an underlying disease as the cause of depression. Many people have a hormonal or chemical imbalance that will cause depression; medication can restore the proper balance.

Here are some basic steps to help you combat depression:

1. Spend time every day meditating on the Word of God. "Blessed [happy] is the man [or woman]" whose "delight is in the law of the Lord" and who "meditates day and night" on God's Word (Ps. 1:2). Think about things that are good, true, honest, and of good report (Phil. 4:8) and your brain will be affected positively.

2. Get rid of grudges every day. If you're angry, don't sin by nursing a grudge. "Do not let the sun go down on your wrath," Ephesians 4:26 says. Anger gives the devil a foothold on your life, so don't hang onto it.

3. Spend time every day getting to be more intimate with your husband or wife, your children, your parents, your brothers or sisters. Family harmony is essential to mental and spiritual health; unresolved conflict will destroy you.

4. Spend time every week with committed Christians who are full of the Spirit. You become like the people you spend time with, so fellowship each week with people of like faith. Let their positive attitude rub off on you.

5. Work on something that brings personal satisfaction to you. The three faces of happiness are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

6. Do something nice for a special person. "Give and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38). What do you want other people to give to you? Then give that to others. It can be your time, your love, a flower arrangement, a greeting card, or a bowl of red beans-but give something special on a regular basis. In giving, you will receive what you need.

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Q: If someone had very serious emotional problems most of their life, and finally they overwhelmed her and that person committed suicide. Did that person lose their salvation by doing this? Is suicide the unpardonable sin?

Whenever I answer a question like this, I'm deeply aware that someone may be reading this who is seriously contemplating suicide—and I would do everything in my power to convince them not to take that final, drastic step. With Christ there is always hope.

God loves them; He loves them so much that Jesus Christ was willing to die on the cross for their salvation. And others care about them, as well (even if they have a hard time believing it). Suicide is never God's will, and even in the midst of life's worst storms we can look to Christ and discover that He truly is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). The first step back from the brink of suicide is to turn to Christ and open our hearts to Him.

Suicide is always a tragedy—but in itself it is not the unpardonable sin. The only sin God cannot pardon is the sin of rejecting Him. God knew your cousin's heart, and He also knows that mental illness sometimes clouds a person's judgment so much that they aren't fully responsible for their actions.

At the same time, ask God to help you be sensitive to the needs of others—especially someone who may be facing discouragement or depression. Often simply knowing that someone cares will help them turn the corner. (answers by Billy Graham, © 2005 BGEA)

Q: I lost my wife about a year ago to cancer, and I just can't get over it. People were very concerned at first, but now no one calls to see how I'm doing, and I'm so lonely. I've never been religious, but maybe you can help me.

Thank you for your letter; one reason I wanted to print it is because I hope it will encourage all of us to be more concerned about those who grieve. Yes, it's good to provide a meal or send flowers at the time of the funeral—but what about six months later? The Bible tells us to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).

Almost nothing in life is as painful as the loss of a loved one (whether their death was anticipated, or sudden and unexpected). Nor does the shock and sadness go away easily or quickly. Recovering from grief, I've come to realize, isn't an event but a process—a process that may take a long time. But listen: With God's help it can happen.

You see, the most important thing I can tell you is that God loves you, and He understands what you're going through. After all, He knows what it is to lose a loved one, for He allowed His only Son to die on a cross for you. This is why the most important step you can take is to respond to His love by asking Christ to come into your life. With Him you are never alone.

Then I urge you to reach out to others who know what it is to grieve. You need them—and they need you! Many churches today, for example, have regular "grief groups" for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. (answers by Billy Graham, © 2005 BGEA)