Glenn Stewart, Jr. is a 22-year-old recent graduate of Emory & Henry College. He is the current Middle School Youth Pastor at Preaching Christ Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, his hometown. This is Glenn's fourth year in the ministry, and it is clear that this issue weighs heavy on his heart. Thank you, Glenn, for allowing me to share your work and personal story, in the hopes that someone's life might be changed through your words.
Original article posted below:
It saddens me to know a young girl at Sullivan South felt the need to take her own life this week. It really saddens me that just this semester alone, 2 freshmen in the Sullivan County School District left this world feeling unwanted. I knew there were people out there who loved them and truly cared for them, but how did they feel unwanted or unneeded? In life, emotions can lead to tough decisions. In my opinion, we can have family, friends and even other supporters to build us up and show us that they care; however, it only takes one or two people who try to tear us down to make us feel inadequate.
Are you a student who is struggling with the thought of suicide? If you are, please consider reading this in its entirety and understanding the meaning of life from God’s perspective. Human life is a very special gift given to us by God. There are three ways to look at the human life: Creation, Life-itself, and After- life.
Creation
In Genesis 1:27, the Bible states, “We as humans are made in the image of God.” In times where we feel inadequate or feel as if no one cares, just reflect on this scripture. God cared enough about you that He made you in His own image. This verse should give you the encouragement needed to know how you were created.
Now to address why we were created. God created us to know him and love him and show him this love. In a sense, God was being a little selfish because he created humans just to praise him. Luke chapter 19 says that even the rocks will cry out in praise if Christ's disciples are silent.
How important are we in Christ’s eyes? Jesus said in Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” We are the most important and most valued being created by Christ because we are the only creature made in God’s own image. If we can fully grasp that we are made in God’s image and are set apart to worship him with our lives, then we will fully grasp why we were created.
Life Itself
I've never heard someone say life is easy. From the time we are born to the time we die, we are in a constant battle with something in our life. At a young age, we go through things that we feel we will never be able to overcome, but grow to learn that life gets harder itself. With age comes responsibility, and more difficulty.
As a teenager in today’s world, drug and alcohol abuse and other things tend to be considered "normal." Depression begins to creep in as a result of bullying or terrible home lives. Some students feel like there is nothing good in their lives. They hear people telling them they will never amount to anything so they believe it and depression sinks in.
John Piper says, “For most of us, depression is an indication of what we are believing. Let us not listen to the darkness and it’s seductive, hope-depleting half truthed lies. It leads to a black hole. Listen to and move toward the Light. Light will dawn for those who trust him (Psalm 112:4). It’s a promise.”
To add on to his explanation, Psalm 112:4 says “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.” If we focus on Christ and his ways, he will set us apart and pull us out of the darkness into light. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). I would venture to say that we all want those three things as we go through life. We all want the proper way to live and the best way of life. We all want the full truth because the truth sets us free. Deep down, we all want an amazing life.
God says in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” When life gets tough just know we have a Savior who came to earth, suffered, died,and rose again so that we may have life and have it more abundantly through him. Faith in Christ is the key to having that life.
My Story
My sister attempted suicide about three years ago as a sophomore in high school. She felt as if she would never amount to anything and had nothing good in her life. She became depressed and fully believed the lies that came with it. She tried to kill herself with our little sister at home with her. She thought people wouldn’t care if she was gone.
My uncle believed the same lies two years before when I caught him setting the scene for suicide. I have suffered a loss from these lies because my grandfather committed suicide in 1999. The pain seems unbearable to the person committing the action, so they mistakenly believe the pain will end this way. The sad part is that people who love and care about them take on that suffering and pain as long as they live.
After Life
The goal as a Christian is to walk into the gates of heaven whenever our time comes. With that being said, I do not believe we should rush it. There is a lot of discussions saying that God allowed suicide to happen or that was their appointed time to go; I am not going to debate those things here. What I am going to say is this:
I believe we all have a plan and a purpose for living... Jeremiah 29:11 says so. God has plans for us to prosper. As I pray that those two young students were saved and are now with Jesus forever, I want to leave you with an encouraging scripture on the after-life.
If you are struggling with death or are contemplating suicide, I want you to find comfort in these few scriptures concerning the after-life.
John 11:25 -- Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live
John 16:22 -- So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Revelation 21:4 -- He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
As I wrap up, let’s be clear now. John Piper said:
“Self-murder is serious. We are playing with fire here. It is spiritually and eternally serious to murder yourself. It is not a light thing. And anyone listening to me now who is contemplating suicide should hear me say: Don’t do it. There is a better way. I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, there is a better way. You don’t feel that, perhaps, right now, but your feelings are not true. They are deceiving you. It is true that God has another way for you. He always makes another way. Wait for him and seek the help you need, because the Bible is very serious about talking of murder.”
I lost a friend my senior year of high school and my grandfather when I was five- both to this horrible myth everything will be better with death. I have watched my uncle and sister both attempt suicide. As I wrap up, I want to say this: I am here to help you in any way, whether that is because you are grieving over a loss or you are contemplating suicide. I am here to always pray for you and walk with you through the whole process. Remember what 1 Corinthians 6:20 says: “For you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”
With a prayerful and broken heart,
Preaching Christ Church
