Recently a pastor took his life due to depression and anxiety.

The post announcing his death was flooded with kind words, prayers, and ultimately positivity. But in all of that, there was still harshness spoken. About this pastor, about the diseases he struggled with, and about his religion.

His own wife made a post about his suicide and was so vulnerable in saying that she was devastated and that their children are truly going to miss their daddy, but even on that, there was still an attack on this man, his family, the diseases, and his faith.

People will define him as weak or maybe even a "fake" Christian, but no one will truly see him for the man he was because, in all honesty, no one knew that. No one knew the true battle he was facing to lead a church, a family, and even look for guidance through his struggles.

But, the simple truth is in all of this people are calling it for what it is - suicide, depression, anxiety. No one is sugar coating it and no beating around the bush. Just vulnerability and honesty and that is exactly what this world needs.

We need to see that even people who are close to Jesus can hurt. Because, yes Jesus is good and wonderful and the ultimate provider, but this world is harsh and sinful. While Jesus is the ultimate healer, this world is the ultimate destroyer. As Christians, we cling to Jesus, and it is evident in how Andrew Stoecklein grew a church and a family that he clung to the Lord and sought after Christ, but even in that we are not strong enough to live on our own.

I fully believe that Andrew is in Heaven and is worshipping the Lord right now, but even in that I think that as humans in general, and Christians we need to see this world for what it is and struggles for what they are and that even when we cling to the Lord we will still fall short.

As someone who has personally fought a battle with depression and anxiety, I can tell you that I have never felt closer to the Lord then I did in my lowest moments. Because in those times when I felt there was no other way out I was continuously seeking the Lord because I knew that He was my only way out. I believe that Andrew was at that point and I am confident, even though every battle is different and I did not know his battle I only watched his sermons, that he was seeking Christ.

Andrew Stoecklein was not selfish because he committed suicide.

He was not weak because he committed suicide.

He was not a "fake" believer because he committed suicide.

He was human.