I have been greatly distressed this past few weeks with news of illnesses - both physical and mental - of friends. In times like these, I cannot help but reflect on the experiences I have had in my own family - with illness and death. These things are a fact of life - our loved ones will die, we will suffer loss, pain and sadness. However, through all of these life events, we have an anchor. We just need to hold on.
When my son, Eric, took his life in 2000, he was 5 days short of 29 years old. Looking back on his life, I realize that he was always too intense in his feelings - loved too deeply, agonized over small things. Maybe there were things we could have done earlier in his life to help him - but I know there is nothing to be gained from blaming myself, or trying to second-guess what drove him to that desperate act. I do know that, in spite of being raised in the church, Eric, at the time of his death, had insufficient faith to be able to live with his emotional pain. My faith, and my trust in God, was the anchor that sustained me.
In 1998, my brother, Roger, took his life. He was 10 days short of his 56th birthday. Another case of a brilliant, talented life, uselessly lost. The excesses of his life had left him financially destitute and without hope, unable to see a way out. Despite years that our family prayed for him, he had no faith of his own to sustain him. My faith and my trust in God sustained me yet again.
"Through it all, through it all...I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God...I've learned to depend upon His Word"...what a beautiful promise! The Living Water that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is sufficient to sustain us in the darkest of times. I have lived the pain, and come through it, because I have that anchor. And, because I firmly believe this promise: "
All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28)", I have been able to use my experiences to help others who are dealing with the pain of suicide and loss.
This is not intended to be a sad post today - but an acknowledgment of the unfailing love and support provided by our Lord. I pray you will lean on Him and learn to trust Him. May God richly bless your comings and goings today and every day.
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19 comments:
all partings are hard, glad you found strength in God. Right now, I am connecting a with 7 year old's mum. The little kid from my school is dying from Cancer within 2 weeks.
all partings are hard, glad you found strength in God. Right now, I am connecting a with 7 year old's mum. The little kid from my school is dying from Cancer within 2 weeks.
Faith gives us strength - sometimes more than we ever dreamed we had. The hard times and sadness we experience are things we do not have to carry alone....He is with us and gives us strength. I'm sorry for your losses Linda but then you know those who have left are still with you in spirit...always.
Hugs, Pam
Amen. Finding joy when life gives you sadness is not easy...but as you so eloquently write, "we have an anchor." Thank you for sharing a story that could well be the very testimony that changes someone's life.
Peace and good to you.
Linking up from Spiritual Sundays. Many blessings.
This was likely a sad post for you to write, Linda. How wonderful that your faith has seen you through such tragedy.
God gives us strength when we don't know where it will come from. He comforts us in ways no one else can. From heart wrenching situations, He's given you the desire and ability to help others in similar situations. Bless you for letting Him work through you!
Linda, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment so I could come over and visit you. :) I love what you wrote about God being our anchor. I truly believe that. And beautiful pictures!
God bless,
Laura
Our God is an Awesome God! Amen
Loosing loved ones is very hard. I am glad you have found your faith has help you thru the loss. Lovely post. I wish you a happy week ahead.
Losing people who have taken their own life is a devastating loss. Great that you have found a way to Carry on.
Linda,
this is such a touching post. My sister had a son that took his life and a dear friends husband just did the same thing a couple of months ago. It breaks my heart when people become that low and do not know what else to do. God and Jesus are always there. They just have forgotten. I lean on them daily and feel their loving arms. So thankful that you are able to keep positive. God bless you!
Hugs,
Jann
tremendous losses you have endured. i am glad you have found strength in your faith.
Beautifully expressed words Linda, you have really had your faith tested, but thankfully it has been strong enough to help you through. You are a very brave lady, I'm not sure I could be so strong.
Greeting, I'm visiting from Spiritual Sundays.
How faithful Our God of Comfort is, especially when the loss is the greatest. I, too, learned that the taking of one's life, and all other forms of giving up, is due to the absence of hope. No wonder it is named along with love and faith.
I am glad your faith helped you overcome these immensely sad and needless losses, Linda. There is little that can be said in consolation for these lives needlessly cut short, but perhaps one may reflect on our life's transience and the hope of an everlasting one. May you be well to remember them with love.
A beautiful meaningful post Linda. A huge pause for thought. I am so sorry about your son and brother. Life sometimes finds us overwhelmed.
So sorry for your losses Linda.
A well written post on the healing that faith can give us.
I can tell from your words that you are richly blessed every day.
Warm hugs.
I am so sorry for your losses. My mother died when I was 15 and without God as my anchor I don't know how I would have survived.
Love the photos, too :)
Thank you so much for your beautiful words reinforcing the power of faith in our lives. I am so sorry for the losses you've suffered but your faith is a reminder of how to move forward, K
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