Thank you for your concern – and I hope your letter will be a warning to anyone who is in danger of getting caught in this kind of trap. Greed is at the root of most gambling, and – as the Bible points out – “A greedy man brings trouble to his family” (Proverbs 15:27).

One of the hidden costs of gambling is that it easily becomes an addiction for some – an addiction so strong that they can’t break out of it on their own. Like a powerful drug, it gives them a temporary thrill – only to send them crashing back to earth once reality sets in. Perhaps this happened with your husband.

Whatever the cause, you and your husband need to talk frankly about where you go from here. His first step must be to stay away from gambling of any sort – completely and totally. This may not be easy, and he may need help to understand himself and how he got into this situation. But he must not deceive himself into thinking that his luck will change and he’ll be able to recoup his losses if he starts gambling again.

The most important thing you can do, however, is to turn to Jesus Christ and ask Him to become the center of your lives. He can give you strength and heal your relationship, and He can give you hope for the future. Your situation is a sad one, but with God’s help the future can be different.