There Is a Way
Yesterday the world said goodbye to actor/comedian Robin Williams. He was beloved and renowned for his work in film, television, and stand-up comedy. He appeared in a number of my own personal favorite films and his presence in popular culture will be immensely missed.
There is speculation that his death was at his own hand and that he suffered from depression. It's hard to believe that a man who spent his life and career bringing laughter and joy to the lives of millions of people was fighting such a dark battle. But, then again, we only know what we see on TV.
In the wake of this unspeakable tragedy social media has exploded with articles, statuses, and tweets on the subject. Whether they've posted about his iconic characters or information pertaining to depression, he's been everywhere. In Christian circles, the conversation turns to whether or not he knew the Lord, of which we can only speculate.
Whatever way you slice it, this man's death cannot be called anything less than absolutely tragic. Depression is a very real disease that needs and demands very real treatment or it will undoubtedly end in very real tragedy.
When I first heard that Mr. Williams had passed and began to read on the circumstances surrounding his death, I became overwhelmed with emotion. Anyone who knows me well knows that I also struggle with depression. I do not use past tense because it is a continuous battle that I fight and I do not believe that I have ever been fully "cured" from the disease. I was diagnosed in the fall of 2008 and have been continuously treated since then.
I never knew Robin Williams. Most of us didn't. But he was a real man who lived, loved, had a family, and died. But I am very familiar with the shadows that encompass you as you contemplate removing yourself from this world. I know what it's like to be in a place where you feel like there's only one way out, only one way to ease your pain.
I can't tell you how many times I contemplated doing the very thing that Mr. Williams did. In late 2008- early 2009 I was very sick. Yes, I said "sick". Depression is an ILLNESS and is just as much of an ILLNESS as anything else. Mental illness is physical illness and, until you've been through it, you have no clue what it's like. I can say without a doubt that I was sicker at that point in my life than I have ever been. And I wanted it to be over. I even had a plan. And I played that plan over and over again in my head.
But Jesus.
I was in a place where I knew the Lord and had people in my life who were praying for me, encouraging me, and showing me that amazing, unconditional love of Christ.
But let's be honest, not everyone knows Christ. For those of us who are believers, it is our job to tell them and to share what Jesus has done in our lives. It is also our job to let the broken know that they are not alone and that there is treatment and help out there. Depression has a way of making you feel completely isolated, like no one else has ever experienced what you are currently experiencing. It tells you that no one understands and that there is no help. It tells you that there's no other way.
But, there is help. There is a way.
First of all, Jesus Christ is the ultimate healer of everything. Period. But God also gave us the gift of modern medicine. I refuse to believe that God would desire for anyone to stay in this awful state and not seek help. Medication and therapy are wonderful, and often necessary things. A very good friend of mine once told me that not seeking help for depression is like being diagnosed with cancer and deciding not to undergo treatment. It's ultimately your choice, but it's a choice that very well may cost you your life.
I am so thankful that I sought treatment. I am so thankful that I didn't end my life. I am thankful that God placed people in my life to love me and be there for me during that time. I am thankful that God kept me from a very tragic end. And I am so thankful that I have not yet been back to that darkest of places. There are around 30,000 suicides in our country every year, and the number keeps rising. We are living in a lost, broken, and desperate world and mental illness (a leading cause of suicide) is on the rise. We have got to step out of ourselves and pour into others. We don't know what battles someone is fighting. But let's be willing to stand alongside them and show them that there is a way.
Jesus, I pray that you would use me to point someone who is hurting in your direction. You are the ONLY way. Please be with my brothers and sisters and help us to reach out and embrace the broken people around us. Help us to realize the depths that mental illness can go. Help me to remember the miry clay that you have brought me from. Please Lord, forgive my complacency and give me the boldness to step out. Thank you for your love, your grace, your mercy, and your unrelenting pursuit of me.
****If there is anyone reading this who is contemplating suicide, please don't. There is hope and healing waiting for you. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Stop what you're doing and call them right now. Please.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
There is speculation that his death was at his own hand and that he suffered from depression. It's hard to believe that a man who spent his life and career bringing laughter and joy to the lives of millions of people was fighting such a dark battle. But, then again, we only know what we see on TV.
In the wake of this unspeakable tragedy social media has exploded with articles, statuses, and tweets on the subject. Whether they've posted about his iconic characters or information pertaining to depression, he's been everywhere. In Christian circles, the conversation turns to whether or not he knew the Lord, of which we can only speculate.
Whatever way you slice it, this man's death cannot be called anything less than absolutely tragic. Depression is a very real disease that needs and demands very real treatment or it will undoubtedly end in very real tragedy.
When I first heard that Mr. Williams had passed and began to read on the circumstances surrounding his death, I became overwhelmed with emotion. Anyone who knows me well knows that I also struggle with depression. I do not use past tense because it is a continuous battle that I fight and I do not believe that I have ever been fully "cured" from the disease. I was diagnosed in the fall of 2008 and have been continuously treated since then.
I never knew Robin Williams. Most of us didn't. But he was a real man who lived, loved, had a family, and died. But I am very familiar with the shadows that encompass you as you contemplate removing yourself from this world. I know what it's like to be in a place where you feel like there's only one way out, only one way to ease your pain.
I can't tell you how many times I contemplated doing the very thing that Mr. Williams did. In late 2008- early 2009 I was very sick. Yes, I said "sick". Depression is an ILLNESS and is just as much of an ILLNESS as anything else. Mental illness is physical illness and, until you've been through it, you have no clue what it's like. I can say without a doubt that I was sicker at that point in my life than I have ever been. And I wanted it to be over. I even had a plan. And I played that plan over and over again in my head.
But Jesus.
I was in a place where I knew the Lord and had people in my life who were praying for me, encouraging me, and showing me that amazing, unconditional love of Christ.
But let's be honest, not everyone knows Christ. For those of us who are believers, it is our job to tell them and to share what Jesus has done in our lives. It is also our job to let the broken know that they are not alone and that there is treatment and help out there. Depression has a way of making you feel completely isolated, like no one else has ever experienced what you are currently experiencing. It tells you that no one understands and that there is no help. It tells you that there's no other way.
But, there is help. There is a way.
First of all, Jesus Christ is the ultimate healer of everything. Period. But God also gave us the gift of modern medicine. I refuse to believe that God would desire for anyone to stay in this awful state and not seek help. Medication and therapy are wonderful, and often necessary things. A very good friend of mine once told me that not seeking help for depression is like being diagnosed with cancer and deciding not to undergo treatment. It's ultimately your choice, but it's a choice that very well may cost you your life.
I am so thankful that I sought treatment. I am so thankful that I didn't end my life. I am thankful that God placed people in my life to love me and be there for me during that time. I am thankful that God kept me from a very tragic end. And I am so thankful that I have not yet been back to that darkest of places. There are around 30,000 suicides in our country every year, and the number keeps rising. We are living in a lost, broken, and desperate world and mental illness (a leading cause of suicide) is on the rise. We have got to step out of ourselves and pour into others. We don't know what battles someone is fighting. But let's be willing to stand alongside them and show them that there is a way.
Jesus, I pray that you would use me to point someone who is hurting in your direction. You are the ONLY way. Please be with my brothers and sisters and help us to reach out and embrace the broken people around us. Help us to realize the depths that mental illness can go. Help me to remember the miry clay that you have brought me from. Please Lord, forgive my complacency and give me the boldness to step out. Thank you for your love, your grace, your mercy, and your unrelenting pursuit of me.
****If there is anyone reading this who is contemplating suicide, please don't. There is hope and healing waiting for you. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Stop what you're doing and call them right now. Please.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
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