This morning I was surprised to see another “successful” person had taken their own life. Reactions to a recent “celebrity” suicide were still spreading across the news sites. These people seemed to have it all and had reached the pinnacle of fame and fortune, but chose to end their lives. With millions dreaming of their level of success, what turned their lives into nightmares? While many struggle to survive, what was so bad in their life that they didn’t want to live?
Talk show hosts struggled to find answers, but failed in their attempts. Medical professionals called for more education and training, to stem the tide of these senseless tragedies. I have heard their answers before…before it happened again and again.
Failing to find answers, the focus soon goes to what the deceased had accomplished during their lifetime, and mourning the loss of their passing. Were they born into poverty or did they have all the advantages? Did they attend the right schools, or were they self-made successes? Who will get their vast wealth? Does any of that make a difference, considering their tragic ending? Will there be “credits” at the end of their show? Does a fashion icon or famous chef get preferential treatment in the grave? I’m not mocking or trying to hurt them, they are beyond my reach. This is for those still living, who still have a choice.
An “easier” explanation is mental illness. I don’t doubt that is part of it, but the world doesn’t offer a solution, because they deny the underlying problem and the problem solver. They have been taught to be self-centered, self-sufficient and nobody loves you enough to help when you have problems. When they find themselves sliding into the pit of despair, they look to the blind and wind up in the ditch. They are blinded by the world’s education and opinion.
The answers the world has been blinded to: “They believed a lie.” They believed death would end the pain. They were wrong! If they didn’t accept JESUS, they went from temporary misery to everlasting torment. “They didn’t believe the truth.” They didn’t believe the WORD of GOD! It says “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). If they believed the truth, they would not have thrown away their life. Even if they had mental problems, the truth of the love of GOD would have helped them find their way.
It is too late for them to change their minds, but you can believe and receive GOD’s love through salvation. Then you can say with confidence “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20 KJV).
Then you can live for JESUS CHRIST, until He calls you home. Your “end of life” will be the beginning of a life with JESUS that will never end!
Wayne Lance (2018)