“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts…” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Despair’s Desperation
Recently Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade committed suicide. These two individuals were famous, successful and wealthy. In the eyes of the world they had it all. And yet…
These successful and accomplished individuals felt a longing in their heart. They were restless. Their souls were unsatisfied even with the finest things the world could give them. It all fell flat.
St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Listen to what Blaise Pascal wrote: “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” John 7:37-39 (NAS).
The word “innermost being” is the Greek koilos, meaning hole or empty place. It is often translated belly or womb. Jesus is describing a spiritual empty place in the heart of man. This empty place is the source of thirst and the divine solution to this thirst is to fill it with living water from the Holy Spirit—with God Himself.
All this to say, we were made for God and in the depths of our being we know it. Jesus is our soul satisfaction. Apart from Him nothing fits, nothing lasts, nothing brings abiding peace.
While firmly believing that God will satisfy our every hunger and quench our fiercest thirst, I also know that Christians also commit suicide. Chronic pain, hopelessness, depression, or mental tortures can drive a believer to such desperation. I don’t believe that act is God’s best for them, but it is not an unforgiveable act. God sees every tear and has great compassion toward the broken.
Suicide kills more people than die in car accidents. Death by suicide increased 30% last year. Every day 22 veterans kill themselves. Suicide kills more people than murder in this country. It’s real. It’s alarming. It’s heartbreaking.
Reach out to those who struggle if you see changes in them. Talk. Be present. Have compassion for them in the struggle. Sometimes we never see it coming. Sadly, those in the struggle often hide their pain from us.
If you are one who has thoughts of taking your own life, please talk to someone you know and trust. Give us a chance to come alongside. If you want to stay anonymous, you can call the suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255. Don’t give up on us! Don’t give up on yourself!
“Father, You see the painful battle we endure. May Your mercy find us. In the name of Jesus who has loved us with this great and eternal love. Amen.”
My dad committed suicide 12 years ago this August….looking back there were definite signs, but at the time we didn’t see them, later my brother said he died 3 years earlier when he received the cancer diagnosis, the saddest part was it was a very curable type of cancer, but after a series of events he gave up…I have no doubt he is in heaven and that gives me joy and peace, but the pain is definitely still there…thank you.
Praise the Lord you are brave enough to bring this subject up! Bless you for writing!
God, please let us see the signs and address them with You first and then with the person You have revealed to us. Give us the words to change their hearts and minds. Holy Spirit, turn their hearts toward You.