Most people who open the Bible looking for help close it again a few minutes later. Not because the answer is not in there, but because sixty six books is a lot of ground to cover when what you actually want to know is why this week has been so heavy.

The fastest way in is to stop searching for topics and start asking the question you already have.

Ask the question you would ask a friend

There is a real difference between typing "anxiety" and typing "why do I feel anxious even when nothing is wrong". The first gives you a word study. The second gives you Philippians 4, Psalm 94 and a reason they belong together.

Your question does not need to be theologically tidy. These are all good questions:

• Why does God feel far away when I am doing everything right?
• What does the Bible actually say about forgiving someone who is not sorry?
• I am angry at God. Is that allowed?
• How do I pray when I do not have words?

Follow the verses, not just the answer

Every answer points to passages. The answer is the doorway; the passage is the room. When a verse lands, open it and read what surrounds it. A verse read in its paragraph is a different verse than one read alone.

Ask the follow up you are afraid is too simple

The second question is usually the honest one. "But what if I have already tried that" is a better prompt than the first thing you typed. Nothing you ask is too basic, and nothing is too blunt.

Keep the thread going

A conversation you return to over a week does more than seven separate searches. You are not starting over each time, so the questions get more specific, and specific questions are where scripture stops being general advice.

Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him.

Psalm 62:8

Open Bible Chat and ask your question