Stephanie Anderson

"I believe that by caring for animals we are also caring for humans. We are providing them with God’s gift of emotional support and friendship through taking care of their pets. Do you think God approves of careers in veterinary medicine?"

If being a “secondary issue” means it’s not essential to someone’s salvation, then it is certainly secondary. However, it is not secondary if by that we mean unimportant.

One of the things I love about working with the team at Eternal Perspective Ministries is how wise and biblically-based their answers are to the many questions people ask. Someone asked a great question and this answer was right on target. Hope you enjoy it.

There is a difference between initial guilt feelings/shame that is the conviction of the Holy Spirit (who is the convicter and comforter) versus residual and accusatory guilt/shame after confession and forgiveness that’s from Satan, the accuser.

Knowing Jesus makes all the difference, and also knowing His heart and His character makes a huge difference as we think about this.

God can certainly do anything He wishes, including showing someone a glimpse of eternity. But it’s hard to evaluate because every experience is subjective, and obviously being in an accident is very traumatic for someone’s brain. 

You are correct that Scripture doesn’t directly address Lazarus’s experience between death and when Jesus resurrected him. But we can make some deductions based on other Scriptures.

Decisions about dating, and considering whether someone is a person you could commit yourself to in marriage, are tough. You really need the help of an older, wiser, godly mentor who knows you well and can talk these issues through with you. 

Jesus gives us reminders of His presence and peace when we are experiencing grief. He is our ultimate comfort, and He must be our focus and source of strength.