If you woke up to the news this morning and heard this terrible story, then you know what I'm referring to. The Powell children who were killed by the one person who should have loved them the most in this world, their father.
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This story broke my heart. It comes on the heels of another acquaintance who committed suicide. All this tragedy is a sign of the hopelessness people feel. They feel trapped, like their situation has no other solution than to take their own life. Maybe they have committed a crime, like Mr. Powell, they killed someone. Or, maybe they are buried in debt, losing their automobile, their home. Maybe they are caught up in addiction. All these things seem hopeless. I get that. But, I want you to know there is hope!!
When the cares of this world take over, it is as if someone puts blinders around our eyes. We can only see what is directly in front of us. We can't see hope because we are buried in our situation. We can't see those around us, wanting to help. We can't see solutions because the problem has grown to an all encompassing size, taking over our life.
This world teaches us to be self-made idols unto ourselves, answering to no one. If we work hard enough, we can have big houses and fancy cars. If we have lots of money, our kids are guaranteed to be the smartest in the world, and our lives will be perfect. But, unfortunately that is a lie from the pit of hell. Yes, hard work and ambition are great! But if we build an island unto ourselves, it is sure to crumble. We were made to fellowship with others, especially the one who made us.
Living separated from our creator is sure to breed hopelessness! This is a very real problem that makes people take their own lives and the lives of those around them. Just believing there is a God is not enough to sustain you. It's not enough to make you act or feel different. You must know the Creator and his life-giving words. You have to read those words and seal them in your heart so that when this hopelessness creeps up, your self-talk can repeat those words back to you...giving you hope. You have to lean on others who know God's Word so that when you are weak, they can be strong for you. It's not about you being the strong one all the time.
However hopeless it may seem, it is not. Jesus came that we may have life and life abundant. Even when you feel the weight of the world crashing down, Jesus is there. The rest of it is just stuff!! It may embarrass you to get your house or car repossessed. But, it won't kill you. A certain crime may even put you in prison. Prison is a hard place, but Jesus lives there too. I've met many prisoners who have more joy and peace in their life than I do! Please please please know that you don't have to give up and take your own life.
Life is hard. People understand that more than you may realize. Just because people may not air their dirty laundry to you, they have some. They can relate to what you are going through. Talk to someone. Open the word of God, and talk to him! See what he has to say to you. He loves you. He can forgive any sin...any sin! Please don't hurt yourself or anyone else. There is hope in this hopeless world.
This may all sound very moot to you. I know what you are thinking..."Yeah yeah yeah, she doesn't get it. She thinks Jesus is the answer to all the problems in this world!" The truth is I KNOW JESUS IS THE ANSWER! His word is alive and true and sharper than any two-edged sword. Have you found hope anywhere else? Try it! Open a bible, read the Psalms and see if God doesn't speak directly to your heart! Test him!! You might be surprised. Then, take a minute and listen to this sweet song by Kari Jobe. And, please don't hurt yourself.
