Q: Do the bad things that happen in our lives hurt God and make Him sad? I’ve had a lot of heartaches in my life, and they’d be a lot easier to bear if I just knew that they made Him feel the same way I feel. — Mrs. R.K.

A: Yes, I can assure you that God not only knows everything that’s taking place in our lives, but He is also deeply touched when something bad happens to us. The Bible says that Christ was “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).

But why does God feel this way when we’re going through hard times? The reason is because He loves us and cares about us. God isn’t indifferent to our hurts; He loves us! And just as you hurt when someone you love is hurting, so God — in a far greater way — is hurt when we are hurting.

This wouldn’t be true if God didn’t love us — but He does, and that makes all the difference. The most important truth you will ever discover is that God loves you. We know this is true because He sent His Son into the world to die for our sins. Have you committed your life to Him?

But God not only loves us, but He also wants to help us and encourage us when hard times come. This is why we can turn to Him in prayer, and trust every situation into His hands. Sometimes He answers our prayers by taking away the burden we’re carrying. But even if that doesn’t happen, He is still with us, and He’ll give us the strength we need to see us through the hard times. The Bible says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).

Q: I get concerned when I see some of the things that have happened to some of my friends’ children as they’ve grown older. What can I do to keep them from happening to our two boys? — Z.R.

A: I’m thankful for your concern for your sons; God gave them to you, and as we look toward Father’s Day tomorrow in our country, I pray you will make it your goal to become the best father you can possibly be. The Bible says, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him” (Psalm 127:3).

How can you be a good father to them? First, love them — and let them know you love them. That doesn’t mean you give them anything they want or let them do anything they want to do; love sometimes says “No.” But it does mean you’ll seek what is best for them, and will be willing to sacrifice your time and energy to make it happen. It means you’ll also keep them from anything that might harm them — not just physically, but morally and spiritually.

Then be an example to them — an example of honesty and integrity, as well as compassion and concern for others. Be an example to them also in your speech, and in your goals in life. The Bible says, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7).

Most of all, be an example to them of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Make sure of your own commitment to Christ, and then ask God to help you point your sons to Him. Young people today face enormous pressures, and more than ever they need fathers who won’t only help them resist them, but will help them become the men and women God wants them to be.

Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit www.billygraham.org.