I admit it, I am. No, let me restate that.. I WAS one of those whos first reaction to the news of a suicide included anger at the selfishness of the act, and the undeserved pain that it puts on the families and friends of those closest to the individual who took his or her own life. The past few days have not just been very convicting but they have given me a whole new perspective on the reality of the pain a person must be experiencing in order to feel that there is no way out, except to get out. Not one of us can truly understand the depth of anothers suffering, or grasp the reasons that could bring about such despair. As is the case for many others, the catalyst for this self reflection is Robin Williams and the choice he made to end his life. This man was more than just an actor and comedian, he touched the lives of millions and even in his death he has caused a tidal wave of acknowledgement regarding depression and suicide. What is suicide? Some say it is the easy way out. Others say it is an act of selfish aggression. Perhaps we are making too many generalizations. Perhaps when someone takes their own life it is a much more personal act of total desperation. Consider the battle raging inside and the confusion, guilt and shame that must be present before the first thought of death enters the picture. How many cries for help went unanswered before death was chosen over life? As Christians we struggle with the result of that choice. Is it the unpardonable sin? Does Christ then remove that person from the shelter of His wings? Here again is a divided opinion. Pastors and leaders all over the world struggle to answer this question while trying to providing comfort to those left behind. I dont assume to know the answer, but I do know that my God is a loving merciful God who came to seek and to save those who are lost. In Romans 8:38-39 Paul makes it very clear that when we are in Christ nothing can separate us from Gods love. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from Gods love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. What depth of love He has for us! What comfort we can draw from this knowledge! Christ knows our heart, He knows the pain and the joy, the thrill and the sadness. Psalm 139:1-2 David sings out, O Lord, you have examined my heart and you know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I am far away. Christ knows our struggles. When one of His children is brokenhearted He mourns with us. Only He knows the depth of pain which might bring a person to the point of suicide. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Mourning and grieving the loss of a child, wife, father, husband, mother, or friend is right. Whether that death was self inflicted or by any other avenue. But when the death occurs because the pain became too much for someone to bear, it MUST give us pause and cause us to look carefully at those around us. With support and love depression and sadness can be overcome. This inner reflection has brought about a number of realizations within myself and recognition of the choices I make day to day regarding those around me. Today the choice I will make is to choose life. Today I choose to be more aware of those who are hurting. I choose to be more sensitive to what I cannot understand and I choose to show love the way Christ modeled during His time with us. There is HOPE in Christ and it is up to us to show that hope to each other. Each and every one of us can be a light of hope to the hurting. A shoulder to the brokenhearted and a strength for the weak. Love comes in all forms and support is one of its most powerful. Depression is the invisible enemy...except for by the grace of God, there go I.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:58:19 +0000
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