From Suicide to Peace
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Just one day after learning one of the closest friends I’ve ever had shot herself to death, I have a peace beyond human comprehension. My peace has nothing to do with what happened to my beloved friend, but I have utter peace. How?
Given I myself contemplated suicide on and off for nearly 20 years, and the Lord set me entirely free from the desire, imagine my heart when I heard the news about my precious friend who had become family to me. God had used a dog she adopted from me long ago to bring me into her life to help lead her to Christ, and then to mentor her through the years. How could I have such peace? Two words.
Jesus Christ. For I have learned at last not to just believe in Him, but to follow Him, and not just to follow Him, but to abide in Him. He is my refuge, shelter, rest, safety, hope, my bridge to God because He died for my sins so I could be forgiven and have an intimate relationship with God my Father, and He is my peace even in the most grueling storms. He promised before returning to heaven after rising from the dead God would give those who obey Him another Comforter – the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). The peace I have in Christ, and the comfort I have from God’s Spirit who dwells in me, no worldly peace or human comfort can compare.
The tears of life come and go, the grief and storms can seem unbearable, the challenges can appear impossible, the struggles and suffering undeniable. But right in the midst of it all, even in the thick and worst of it, is a peace offered to us all when we believe in, and follow, and abide in Christ.
Seeking peace? Turn away from the world. Abide in Christ.