On my mind this morning when I woke up; when I rode my bike on my inside trainer; as I took a shower and dressed; and now as I sit and read my Bible at the table is a task-something I will do today…
I will attend a visitation and funeral of the friend of one of our new young ladies in the church.
She drank herself to death. That is harsh to say, I know, but even though only 30, her body said, “Enough.” It came to that point of her liver and kidneys failing due to alcohol abuse and past cancer treatments.
She is not alone. It is almost like an epidemic. People who lose hope. More specifically, young people who have lost hope. I guess we expect it more from an older person who can say, “I’ve lived my life. It is time for me to go.” But a young person? That cuts. Losing hope knows no age limits. It knows no status (Hollywood stars for example). It knows no financial acumen (the rich or the poor).
When did people lose hope? Please don’t fall back on COVID, although I am convinced it may have exacerbated it. Isolation. Loneliness. But I ask again: when did people lost hope? When did they lose sight of what David wrote: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”? (Ps. 139:17-18). Maybe a better question is, “Did they ever know they were valuable to God?”
There seems to be no doubt that we are living in a hopeless generation and it is tragic that so many are living in such despair that they either want to end it all, give up, or in the case like this just simply say, “What’s the use?” and stop fighting for life. If we could only get back to what David wrote earlier in Psalm 139: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” (verses 7-10). Those aren’t words of lament, of complaining about God’s presence. They are words of triumph. Of joy. Of hope.
Something there is just too little of these days. But something offered to us by the One who gave and gives us life.
Yes, hope is precious and life cannot go on without it. Bill, would you pray for Danny? We are going to see a specialist for his PTSD this morning; he is having a tough time getting through the emotions triggered by the heart problems. He needs more support than I can give him. Thanks and blessings!
I most certainly will Martha. I know Tami has had some of the same issues. Every twinge sets her at unease.
It is sad… losing hope. When it seems the only option left is to end this short life that we have. When no alternative can be found and the choice to end the pain, either emotionally or physically comes at such a high price. It doesn’t make it easier when society degrades the value of life. I’ll be praying for you Bill and the family and friends who knew the lady you mention. Martha, I’ll be praying for you and Danny as well. Praying for the peace and assurance that God will freely give.
you hit on what is sad Ryan: no alternative can be found and the choice to end it is such a high price. And you are equally correct that it tough because society devalues life. Thanks for the prayers for me and for Danny and Martha.
To watch or see someone completely hopeless is just heartbreaking. To see someone just blaming God, and to claim He does not care, simply because they do not understand who God is. They turn their backs on God and they will not put in any hope in Christ because of the lies they have been told and believe about God. As christians we have to try and reach them, and be willing to take the time to share who God is, and to tell our own story. Prayers for Bill, Danny, and Tami.
That is the sad part Gail. The hope in Christ is what they are normally not interested in. Thanks for your prayers.