I’m writing to you today because my family is being hit so very hard by trial after trial, in literally every facet of our lives. Wave after wave hits us, and there is no sign of this letting up any time soon. We’re frustrated, tired, and honestly- troubled. I have been clinging to the peace that only Jesus can give, but when I read John 14:27 today, it was the second half of the verse that gave me pause. “Let not” and “neither let” imply that we have a choice in this when our hearts are troubled. Can you tell me how to not allow my heart to be troubled?

How does God decide which prayers to answer? I’m sure lots of them run against one another. For example, let’s say there’s a 50% chance of rain in the forecast for the weekend. A local farmer sees this and prays desperately for rain. It’s been hot all summer long and his crops are wilting. If he doesn’t get this downpour, the harvest will be a failure and he’ll have to sell his farm, which is his only livelihood.

At the same time, a local family sees the forecast and gets worried. They have finally managed to organize a long-overdue reunion, including relatives they probably won’t see again due to age and health issues. This family prays desperately that the rain will hold off so the reunion will take place. I’m sure opposing prayers take place all the time. How does God choose which ones to grant?

Thanks for a wonderful site. Please explain or give your view on the verses in the above mentioned Scripture regarding sins not leading to death, sins leading to death and more specifically verse 18.