Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus our Soon Coming King. I am a regular reader of your columns and I like the advice you give to persons sometimes. I have a problem that I would like you to help me with. When I was about 8 years old my mom became crippled and it devastated me so much that it even affected my schoolwork as I was unable to concentrate.

After my mom became ill, I had to live with my grandmother and that again caused a lot of burden on me, because I was abused verbally, physically, mentally, emotionally and also sexually. At times, I feel like taking my life, but am kept from doing so by the grace of God.

I am now married but still not happy, because I do not love the person I married. I did it because I was thrown out of my grandmother's house and did not have anywhere to go. Because of his religion I could not stay with him until we were married, so I ended up having to marry him.

Please pray for me because my life has become very stressful and, because of my religion, I can't get a job. I am also getting tired of life.

N.B., Westmoreland, Jamaica

Dear N.B.,

I wish you had mentioned what religion you are a part of that is causing you not to get a job. I hope you don't mean that people are discriminating against you because of your religion. Anyway, I am sorry to know that you are unhappy and that you do not love your husband. I don't believe that people should stay together if they don't love each other.

I am sorry that you suffered emotional and physical abuse at the hands of relatives. Is your mother still alive? If she is, I hope that she is doing well.

May I suggest that you go to see a counsellor, because if there is no love in the relationship, you will always be unhappy.

Pastor