Life is a Gift

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.
Before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

Recently I was confronted by a Christian sister that was in tears. The night before, a 20 year old young man in our community had committed suicide. She was confused and angry. She wanted to know why God hadn't shown her that this young man was in pain so that she could of tried to help him. She saw him everyday at the feedstore and she said she could have helped him but instead, God had just let the young man struggle alone.

Yes, God allows us to struggle at times, but NEVER alone. And I'm not sure where his heart or spirit were, but along with Himself there, God did send angels to try to spare him--his mother, his brother, his girlfriend, some friends--they were there but this young man had freewill and he choose what he choose.

Please understand, I'm not being callous. But in my years of counseling, a person who really wants to end it, will end it. No matter what. They have come to the brickwall. For whatever reason, to them, taking their life is the only answer. What they don't think about is the ones they leave behind. The guilt that the survivors feel is tremendous. Like this sister, the what if's and if only, keep going around and around.

Life is a precious gift from God. He formed you and as He created you, He designed great plans for you and your life. What you do with that life is up to you because with the gift of life, He also gave us the gift of freewill.

Don't let life get so lost that the only option is to check out. I know that suicide is a subject that can be uncomfortable to talk about. But with it happening more and more these days, it needs to be talked about.

You need to know that every day is a gift from your Heavenly Father and even if it runs rough, it is only for a time. Turn to Jesus--He will bring you through. Turn to His Word, the Bible--it will strengthen you. Turn to a good group of support people that you trust and are well-grounded--they will carry and encourage you.

Life IS a gift--are you going to accept it or reject it?

"Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life." Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT