When Hope Fades

Tragedy struck our small town again. Hope faded in a young person. She made a final and fatal decision. So many questions follow. 

People lose hope all the time. Most find ways to cope even if they are destructive. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and fantasies. Others turn to God and find hope in Him and His word. There are a few who find no solace in any of the above. Their hope fades and destructive thoughts squeeze the mind like a vice grip. Any confident expectation for better days ahead are pummeled into powder. 

These hurting, broken, desperate, and hopeless people want relief. They long for escape. In the worst case scenarios these people entertain thoughts of a gun to the head, an overdose, a cut wrist, or a noose around the neck. That one final and fatal decision is an all out effort to escape the pain. 

It would be easy for those watching from the outside to make judgments. I will not do that here. Who can understand the deep pain in a person's heart. Who can understand the twisted psyche people wake up with everyday. Who can fully comprehend pain so deep and internalized that despair and hopelessness never depart. Such people trudge through life. They see others laughing, happy, successful, and advertising all of those things on social media. 

Social madia is a facade. People paint happy portraits of success, prosperity, and popularity. Is it all real. You do not see many people post about their personal pain. If they do would anyone care. 

If you are a person without hope and looking at social media posts of happy, healthy, and hopeful people it could only serve to make you further depressed. 

If Jesus walked in our shoes would He take notice of hopeless people? Would He walk slowly through the crowds to notice those unloved, unwanted, and unnoticed. Would He see past blank faces, silent voices, into the sad eyes which are a window to the soul. Would He see the pain inside masked by the life outside. 

Isn't it time we all quit being so preoccupied with our lives, our children, and our image to others. If we are true followers of Jesus shouldn't His compassion fill our hearts to want to engage people in pain and to embrace those empty of hope. 

There are many who do this every single day. These people love. They engage. They notice. They love not only in words but also in deeds. Some are pastors. Some are educators, coaches, and those who work behavioral sciences. They are coaches, Sunday school teachers, volunteers, and friends. Let us not forget there is family. 

I know families who have lived through the pain and tragedy of a family member taking their life. The pain lingers. The questions never get fully answered. The grief remains just below the surface. Families and friends often live with the guilt wondering what they could have done differently to help their loved one. The questions remain why a permanent solution in suicide was the chosen response to temporary problems. 

It is a difficult subject. The truth is hope does fade for some people. John Newton had such a friend named William Cowper. He was a gifted poet and hymn writer but suffered from intense depression. He repeatedly tried to end his life. He had to be institutionalized on more than one occasion. When hope faded for Cowper what did Newton do? He kept loving his friend. He kept speaking and writing Biblical truth. Maybe we can do the same things as well for those when hope fades.