I remember dropping a friend off at their home after school when I heard about the suicide-death of Kurt Cobain – lead singer of Nirvana. I just couldn’t believe it. As a fan, I thought he had it all. Sure, there had been stories about his drug issues…but as a senior in high school, I couldn’t fathom someone of his stature taking his own life. Later on, I remember reading the words of Kurt’s mother, Wendy O’Connor as she grieved she declared, “I told him not to join that stupid club…”
That stupid club? – all of those other musicians and stars who partied hard and died young. Their stories litter pop culture like spots on a Jackson Pollock painting.
And then we have Chester Bennington, the iconic voice of Linkin Park, highly regarded as one of the best (if not THE best) rock voices of his era – Ending it all in what appears to be another sad story in the annals of music history. How so very tragic. Chester leaves behind six children and many who are simply floored in grief over his sudden death.
NO EASY WORDS:
There is nothing that can be said to bring peace to the families of those who choose to end their lives. Depression, drug abuse, life’s pressures have affected many, and some believe that they just can’t go on living. If anyone has ever been in that deep of a depression, you will know that the mind is not working the way it should and suicide seems to be the only way out.
I am not defending the actions of one who chooses to end their life in such a way, I am merely trying to grapple with the loss that is felt when someone dies. Suicide is never the solution and yet we cannot know what someone is struggling with and how lost they might feel. All we can do is be available and to show love and support to those who are hurting.
Perhaps the best method in coping is NOT to express anger as Korn Guitarist Brian Welch (known as ‘Head’) has done as he shared his frustration and criticized Chester saying it was ‘the cowardly way out’. We may have similar opinions and frustrations. Welch went on to say (for those who actually read the rest of what he had to say and didn’t just slam him) he knows all too well the struggles of depression and getting “wasted”…Welch, expressed his frustration and anger – yet there is something to his expression that seems understandable – He was friends with Chester.
Suicide Sucks!
There are people who are left behind when anyone dies in such a way.
Many people sent out shock and condolences, OneRepublic tweeted out; “Dear God. Massive RIP to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark This BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking amonst us.”
Children are left without a father.
Mothers and Fathers without a son…and the list goes on.
I won’t go too far to say that suicide is selfish…(even if it is).
Many who choose to end their life are in the deepest places of grief, depression and they are not always in the right place mentally. It simply hurts…
If you have ever contemplated suicide – please, please, please don’t!!!
You are loved!
You do matter!
Life is worth living, if you can just hang on a little longer!
Please seek out help!
Counselors and friends are available, you just need to ask.
I have done funerals for families who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Suicide sucks! It leaves vacuum in the hearts of many…and they wonder if they could’ve done something prevent it from happening. I, don’t have all of the answers, but I do know that there is a God of grace who cares about your life and the lives of those who contemplate suicide. Be respectful, hopeful, and offer love and support to loved ones around you who might be struggling today.
-Just a thought.
Other Sources to check out:
You Cannot Be Replaced
Suicide Prevention
Text Hotline
Help Guide
Pastor's Ponderings 
This is a timely piece, and a tragedy unique to no social circle. A community we lived in formerly was rocked, when a high profile clergyman simply could not go on living his life. My own thinking on the subject has evolved; where I used to assume one who committed the act was doomed to eternal punishment. Surely only God knows the heart’s condition at the moment of surrender.
A disturbing development appeared in news the other day. Not only is assisted suicide for medical extremes legal in this European country (Netherlands?); now the matter of “end of life” options is being considered, when one is simply . . . DONE!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
A few decades ago, it seemed that a would-be suicide often considered seeking out a clergyman first. But, that was when the general population still had a “Christian mindset” whether Christian or not. Today, however, generations have been “raised” without any Christian teaching (and, too often, Christianity has been maligned for them as too radical, too ab-normal, etc.), so would-be suicides probably are not even going to think “it might help” to seek out the church.
My thought is that we must be more forthright in presenting the gospel to our ‘pagan’ society, so that even if a person ends up rejecting our appeal, he or she might considering contacting us in their darkest hour. We might also pray regularly for all those souls we know who are “not thinking straight.” God more than once has intervened at a crisis moment – on a Damascus Road – and can do it again. I pray that we will be Ananias when He calls on us to go find that person.
My son committed suicide just over 1 year ago.
Thank you for the post.
In Christ, Beetle
I’m so sorry to hear that! Blessings on you and yours!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and those who love him.
Thanks so much.