Dear Rev. Graham: I’m concerned about my husband. He’s always been very positive and active, but since having open heart surgery several months ago, he’s turned grumpy and depressed. He even says he thinks God has abandoned him. How can I help him? — Mrs. K.D.

Rev. Graham: First of all, I hope you’ll talk with your husband’s doctors about this; they may have some helpful suggestions, and in any case they need to know about it. I’m not a physician, but sometimes after surgery the shock to our system or the medicines we take can affect our emotional outlook.

It’s important too for you to try to understand what your husband is going through. Once he was active and in control of his life, but now he’s no longer able to do everything he once did. He’s probably afraid those days will never return. The Bible tells us to “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

Whatever the reasons for his attitude, one thing is certain: God has not abandoned him. Life isn’t always the way we wish it were, but God is just as present in the dark times as He is in the bright ones.

With Christ, the future is always bright.