How to explain that feeling like you want to die is a part of life is not an easy task. Some will say that such a feeling has no place in life and that you should not think about such things. For those who live in the real world, knowing there are such times in our lives is very much a part of life. Life can be demanding. Life can be challenging and life can be a serious strain at times. Having a plan in place to easy the load when it seems to be crumbling or collapsing is a must to survive what could be the worst feeling you will ever experience on this journey we call life. Yes, I believe feeling like you want to die is a part of life, but not an action we take to end life.
Elijah had experienced life under the rule of the wicked King Ahab. Jezebel, was just as wicked. They promoted the worship of idols and of all the Kings of Israel, Ahab was the most wicked to ever rule over the people. I think we would all agree, this is not the best of times and giving up or quitting could seem like the right thing to do. Surrendering under distress should be understood given the circumstances right?...wrong!
God held back the rain on the land for 3 years and a great famine broke out as a just two more aspects of the difficulties faced that could lead one to think there is no way out. I Kings chapter 19 tells the story of great challenges followed by unbelievable successes that Elijah had including the killing of 450 prophets of Baal. Yet, a part of life would involve great depression following the successes and power of God clearly experienced. Elijah sitting under a juniper tree prays for God to take his life.
Understanding how one could want to give up on living is easy for me to understand, because I’ve been there. I understand how the hardness of life can leave you feeling empty and worn out. The delay of fruits from your labor or not experiencing the harvest can be a discouragement that drains you of energy and spirit. Watching folks who are wicked prosper is difficult to accept and struggling when your integrity is challenged or your honest is quested is no fun at all.
Wanting to die seems so unreal but it is a very real feeling but we should never live our lives on feelings. Rather we should live our lives on facts. Facts like, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Facts like Jesus came that you and I would have an abundant life experiencing grace and mercy as the keys to abundant mindset. A fact like forgiveness comes from God and our practice of His demonstration toward others sets us free inside and out.
Life is not an easy journey, but never the less I have found Christian faith as the foundation in my life. It gives me hope and joy in every situation. Marilyn Simpson, wife of Dr. Leon Simpson then President of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College shared with me in 1985 a rich nugget of life I’ve never forgotten. I was in a wheelchair suffering from arthritis and my medical future was dim when no medical solutions in sight. It was during this very low ebb in my life she said, “Tim, this isn’t Heaven yet”. It was a startling reminder that life here on earth is not my final destination. This is just a land we’re I am passing through. Her reminder of truth also taught me that I needed to be viewing life from the proper position, God ‘s view.
Life is worth the living, Because He lives and we must find our confidence in Him. In that He will complete that which He has begun if we will but allow Him time to do it well on His schedule.
Until then
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