June 8 2018 – Click here to listen
I was praying the other day and spent much of my time thanking God profusely for allowing me to live in the United States. Though she has many problems, our country is still the best place on the planet to live. I’ve seen that first-hand as I’ve managed to travel to many other countries during my lifetime. It is sad to see so many unhappy people so filled with hate disparage this great country.
It is not surprising to read the report that was released yesterday by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that the suicide rate in the United States has risen with half of all U.S. states reporting an increase greater than 30 percent. With 45,000 taking their own life in 2016 it is a leading cause of death in the United States.
The CDC was at a loss to explain why there is an increase. My grandfather, two of my uncles, and my only sibling, my brother Jim all committed suicide. There was a point where I wanted to take my own life. Thus, I suppose I’m qualified to take a shot at answering the “why” question.
People who commit suicide as a rule have lost hope. Except in extreme cases of devasting disease and a painful existence one could make a case that those who commit suicide have not drawn close to God. He alone is the source of all hope in this world. Those who are trying to solve their problems independent of Him will fail miserably and too often suicide is their remedy.
I’ve spoken on many prison yards to some of the toughest individuals on this planet and told them that the world is much tougher than the toughest inmate in the prison system. Facing it alone without the hope of Christ is useless. It can beat you down to your knees and stomp you for falling.
If you are lonely, depressed, tired of it all, and are ready to throw in the towel or know someone in that condition, I would respectfully suggest that you must turn to the Lord of hope. Society is cold and uncaring, but the Lord loves you and me. More importantly, this life aside, just imagine for a moment how it would be if you were to enter eternity without Jesus and had to face what is coming utterly alone.
It won’t get any better my friends and ending it all, doesn’t end it all.
The worst pain I ever suffered was the suicide of my brother. At the time Jim took his life I was closer to God than at most any other point of my life and I couldn’t understand why God allowed such pain to enter my life. His death still grieves me to this very day and I’ll never understand why something like that occurs in this world. I have learned to live with both the good and bad in this world and accept it as the way it is, but I will never be over it until I enter those pearly gates and see my Lord and Savior face to face. He will remove all the pain forever. Therein lies my hope.
As for me there is still a hole in my heart, but God has sufficiently filled it with His Spirit of hope to allow me to move on in peace and joy and guard my mind against those suicidal thoughts.
Phil. 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!