No Lost Causes

 

Recently, while working, I had a person ask me if I thought some people were better off killing themselves and not being here. It was a sincere question I could tell this person had given thought to.

I had no time to formulate a professional answer but I didn't need it.

My immediate answer was, "no" and it came from both my heart and experience. I will never believe that an individual is without hope. If that were the case, I might as well hang up my faith in Jesus Christ and my career in mental health, altogether.

I could sense what this person was thinking: What about someone who has no one and nothing, and at every turn there is nothing but darkness, pain and despair? My heart filled with compassion and understanding at all that was behind this bravely and honestly asked question.

I have zero doubt about the agony people experience every day all around our world. I know the things that have rocked my own world. I have looked despair in the eyes. I have sat in pools of it with others.

Yet, all life is still deeply valuable. There are countless miraculous stories of those who took a step in the darkness...and then another...and another. Some did it seemingly alone, grasping on to a dying flame somewhere inside of them while others held on to the rescue of another's hand. Yet, others were thrust back to life against their will, only to find a crack by which they could escape from their hell-on-earth into a life they never dreamed possible.

I do not care what culture imposes, I will always stand on the fact that life is valuable and precious in the name of Jesus. I believe everyone has a purpose. I believe everyone has something to offer.

Jesus came so that we may have life.

I believe in HOPE.

Bravo to all who are walking through the darkness a step at a time.

Bravo to all those who are sharing their stories in an effort to heal as they have been healed.

Miracle-working God does not live in a box.

There is no such thing as a "lost cause."

I cannot say it enough. You matter greatly to Him.

Written by,

Dee M. Kostelyk

A Better Way

I was thinking on my way home from work about how people's lives are complex. In the middle of real success and great strides, are steps backward and seeming failure. We can hold hatred and love at the same time for the same person. We can have empathy and compassion with pieces of bitterness and resentment running through. We can forgive and let go of one offense and harbor another for a lifetime. We can mess up, only to turn the corner and do something pretty special. What works for one person or family, wouldn't for another. What one can accept, another couldn't or wouldn't. 

I bring this up because sometimes it feels like, myself included, we impose our way of walking through a situation onto someone else. Or, our belief must be someone else's. Even more, our experience should match another's. Or, how about my reasoning should make perfect sense to you? These are mistakes and can lead to disappointment, hurt, miscommunication and even burnout. 

Trying to frame another person's complex life with our cut and dry solution is a time waster. Very few things in life are cut and dry, especially people. And, people are not things. 

This might be a good time to refrain from telling someone how we think they should or should not struggle. It might be a good time for self-reflection and to consider our own complexity. 

We can do this at the cross. There is something powerful there. It's the place of greatest truth and most profound love. It is where we offer all the complexities of who we are in safety because God's love is secure. In doing this, we feel Jesus's acceptance. We can dare to lift our chin to meet the warm love in His eyes. 

When we walk away there is renewal. We feel less critical and more gracious. There is a desire to be edifying and root for people instead of the urge to control, doubt, or judge. 

The "yuck" diminishes and that feels good.

Thank you Jesus for always showing us a better way to be.

Dee M. Kostelyk