Is This All There Is? (The sad ending-part II)
April 2, 2018, I responded, in my blog, to the article, “Burned to the Waterline,” by Donovan Webster in the The AARP Magazine for Feb/March 2018. In the article, Webster explained how a DUI had led to him being imprisoned for 21 months and, "Virtually everything in my life burned to the waterline." He added a note of optimism by stating, "No matter what age you are, staging a comeback is only a matter of taking the rest of your life seriously and making the next smart step, and the next. Is there really any other option?”
I argued that this fatalistic approach to life left out the option of leaning on God's power and strength to step in rather than leaning on our own understanding, or that of other humans who may try to be uplifting, but do not know what God's unique plan is for each of us. Proverbs 13:12 tells us, "Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay." You can write a "meme" for anything and it may be inspiring, but God is the only One whose Word will change things, events, and, most importantly, people.
The sad ending to this story is that in a follow-up article written by Donovan's wife, she recounts the amazing journeys he went on around the world, but then he began to struggle with alcohol addiction. Driving under the influence, the accident that sent him to prison, also resulted in the driver of the other vehicle being killed. His wife, Janet Webster, said in the article, "Then the darkness came," that "Donovan lost his struggle on Independence Day 2018...but it was years ago that I lost the man I had married." The article from the December/January 2018 edition of the AARP Magazine, was a follow up to Donovan's original article noted above and ended in the fact that he took his own life.
Suicide is not the only option, although Satan, the deceiver, would want you to think that it is. I know personally the depths of depression and addiction that can cause your thinking to turn on you and make the claim that death would be the easy way out. It might seem to be, but it's not a choice that really solves anything, and it can cause eternal struggles with darkness.
We are not the Makers, but the created. We don't see the big picture. We don't know how our struggles are shaping us into stronger people with better character or how our reactions to our trials lift up those around us, who may be experiencing their own tribulations which seem to be unending and the option of enduring it no longer has crossed their minds.
The struggle is real, but this life is just a dress rehearsal for the eternal heaven God has in store for us. The Bible tells us that the Lord has gone before us to "prepare a place for [us]," so even if this present life on earth seems to be "hell on earth," there is hope that eternity will be heaven.
Don't put your eternity in the hands of the devil. Don't let him decide your "fate," instead trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, put your faith in Him and He will "take you to [himself]." Then tell Him about your struggles with depression, addiction, or whatever seems to be dragging you down into the depths of despair. Give it over to God and ask Him to take up your burdens and give you peace (Matthew 11:28-30). May you be free indeed. Amen.
I argued that this fatalistic approach to life left out the option of leaning on God's power and strength to step in rather than leaning on our own understanding, or that of other humans who may try to be uplifting, but do not know what God's unique plan is for each of us. Proverbs 13:12 tells us, "Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay." You can write a "meme" for anything and it may be inspiring, but God is the only One whose Word will change things, events, and, most importantly, people.
The sad ending to this story is that in a follow-up article written by Donovan's wife, she recounts the amazing journeys he went on around the world, but then he began to struggle with alcohol addiction. Driving under the influence, the accident that sent him to prison, also resulted in the driver of the other vehicle being killed. His wife, Janet Webster, said in the article, "Then the darkness came," that "Donovan lost his struggle on Independence Day 2018...but it was years ago that I lost the man I had married." The article from the December/January 2018 edition of the AARP Magazine, was a follow up to Donovan's original article noted above and ended in the fact that he took his own life.
Suicide is not the only option, although Satan, the deceiver, would want you to think that it is. I know personally the depths of depression and addiction that can cause your thinking to turn on you and make the claim that death would be the easy way out. It might seem to be, but it's not a choice that really solves anything, and it can cause eternal struggles with darkness.
We are not the Makers, but the created. We don't see the big picture. We don't know how our struggles are shaping us into stronger people with better character or how our reactions to our trials lift up those around us, who may be experiencing their own tribulations which seem to be unending and the option of enduring it no longer has crossed their minds.
The struggle is real, but this life is just a dress rehearsal for the eternal heaven God has in store for us. The Bible tells us that the Lord has gone before us to "prepare a place for [us]," so even if this present life on earth seems to be "hell on earth," there is hope that eternity will be heaven.
Don't put your eternity in the hands of the devil. Don't let him decide your "fate," instead trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, put your faith in Him and He will "take you to [himself]." Then tell Him about your struggles with depression, addiction, or whatever seems to be dragging you down into the depths of despair. Give it over to God and ask Him to take up your burdens and give you peace (Matthew 11:28-30). May you be free indeed. Amen.
John 14:2-3
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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