Eternity now. Doesn’t that have a nice ring?

Recently I was given the opportunity to review a copy of the new NET Eternity Now New Testament. The legal folks at #biblegatewaypartner tell me that I need to mention that I received this Bible for free as a member of the amazing Bible Gateway Blogger Grid.

So, there’s that. And I’ll give you my honest opinion.

You may have a shelf full of Bibles in various translations. Perhaps your phone is loaded down with Bible aps. Candidly, though, what Thomas Nelson has done is offered a Bible in a format I’ve never seen, and it’s way-cool.

First, the Bible is in the New English Translation. If you aren’t familiar with this translation – and I wasn’t, because I’m primarily an NIV-kinda guy – it’s worth checking out netbible.com/net-bible-preface to see where they’re coming from. Short version is that the translators have tried to do the best possible job of straddling that line between being readable and being accurate. I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. A word for word translation can come across as stiff and awkward; a thought for thought translation might read better, but might lose just a tiny bit in accuracy. Or not. 

My thought on the translation itself: I think we’re safe with this one. When I do legit Bible study I like to refer to several translations at the same time. Here’s one more for that mix.

The crazy innovative feature of the NET Eternity Now New Testament is how it’s formatted. I can see this being of enormous help to a new believer wanting to “get into” reading their Bible. I’d even say this is a good intro to the Bible for a curious new -believer.

The Bible comes as a boxed set of five separate books. (Huh?) In the neat packaging  I’ve shown above – titled “Eternity Now,” very meta there – each little volume contains a different set of New Testament books. Here’s the breakdown:

• Grand Tour – the amazing story that changed the world. It contains Luke and Acts.
• No Going Back – a fast-paced account from the front row of history. This is Mark and First and Second Peter.
• Death to Life – beyond what happened to what it all means. This covers all of Paul’s letters. 
• The Legacy – a rich story etched with pain and promise. Here’s Matthew, Hebrews, James, and Jude.
• Now but Not Yet – the beginning was shocking, and the ending changes everything.

(Those colorful descriptions are from the cover copy of each book.)

The other novelty – which isn’t a bad thing – is how the individual books are formatted. Each book begins with a prologue, a very accessible overview of what the reader can expect from the book. It’s simply background, not intended to be scholarly, but rather gives some context.

From there, each book is broken down by the traditional chapter numbering. Note – and this might be a deal-breaker for some – there are no numbered verses. Each chapter reads like a novel with no verse breaks.

That’s to say – this isn’t a Bible for Bible study, per se. It’s more useful for devotional reading, I can see it’d be pretty cool for someone’s daily Bible reading to take one of the volumes and simply read through it at their own pace. There are no notes, no cross references, anything like that. It’s just text, biblical content.

I think there’s a place for this translation and the way it’s formatted. Here’s a shoutout to whoever chose the font used, too!  I can see someone tossing one of the little volumes in their purse or backpack. I don’t really want to consider this “leisure reading,” but I get a really accessible vibe from this. I can recommend it – again, not as a study Bible, but just as an easy and fun way to get into scripture. 

You can find it in the Bible Gateway store at https://bg4.me/3PccDVn and its Amazon page https://amazon.com/dp/078529127X/   

Your thoughts?

It’s not all about you. It never has been. Check this out:

“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.” – William Faulkner

You just read the closing part of Faulkner’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize at the Nobel banquet at City Hall in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 10, 1950. The entire speech lasted about three minutes and, like the Gettysburg Address, has no fat on its bones at all. It was succinct, powerful stuff. I won’t post the whole thing, but it bears reading. Google it.

If you read Faulkner, you’ll find that his writings are packed with Christian themes (although his personal life, with multiple affairs, leads me to think that he lived his life just a little on the wrong side of the King James Version.) But I love the quote above, and here’s why:

It’s not all about you.

We can, if we aren’t careful, turn into self-serving little clods.

We live in this culture of outrage. We are offended by everything. Granted, some things are worth getting worked up over. But pity the one who goes through life looking for something to get enraged about. So they rant, and rail, and lash out at anyone who doesn’t see things the way they do. And, in offense’s worst state, they want those not agreeing with them shut down, silenced, banished.

I want to state unequivocally that wanting someone who disagrees with you to be silenced is cowardly and non-Christian.

What are you afraid of? Have we become such weenies that we are threatened by opposing viewpoints? To put a finer point on things, are we not as Christians so uncertain about our own beliefs that to be confronted with challenges causes us to run to the nearest rabbit hole?

Check out Faulkner again, and he implies that it’s not all about you. He states that we are capable of compassion, sacrifice, and endurance. In the context of believers, that implies that we can care and love for our enemies, that we can give ourselves to them and for them, and that we can stand up to anything hurtful or harmful – or unfair and inaccurate – that they might say to us. Actually, that sounds pretty Christlike to me.

Faulkner’s answer was found in words, in poetry, in soaring discourse. Read this again:

It is his (the writer’s) privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.

That’s good counsel for the poet, and good counsel for us, too. We have that same privilege as we look to others.

But we can’t give away something that we don’t have. We are the end product of those before us who give us examples of courage, honor, hope, pride, compassion, pity, and sacrifice. More importantly, we have received the same examples from Christ Himself.

Here’s the point. Don’t miss the point.

To the extent that you can accept these strengths, divinely given, you can prevail against the ill winds of culture. You have a new Spirit in you, if you’re a believer. It’s a Spirit that will guide you away from blind outrage, away from perceived or real slights, away from any sense of entitlement you may have.

Life is hard. It’s SUPPOSED to be. You are supposed to struggle and contend. Without struggle, where would the glory be? No, see, you are supernaturally empowered to be gifted, to be a gift, to be an encourager, and to always and forever have hope. You don’t have to remain in the dark state you are in. O be joyful. You have reason to hope.

Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Quit complaining. Have you ever said that – or wanted to say that – to someone?

Or have you ever been told to quit complaining? And you complained because someone said that to you?

I have always felt like I was patient to a fault. But in my old age, and since I’m trying to qualify for my curmudgeon credentials, my tolerance level for complainers of all ages, genders, life conditions, etc., is getting progressively lower.

As I told a close friend, “My grace and mercy reservoir is about drained.” That’s not typical for me, but man. Sometimes you’ve just had enough, right?

Here are some thoughts. I’d like for you to (a) be able to develop some coping skills when dealing with complainers, and (b) how to recognize your own tendencies toward complaining and consequently do something about it.

First, complaining might be good in some ways but it’s an awful long-term condition to be in.

Here’s why:

1. It really doesn’t help much. While there is perhaps some benefit occasionally in “venting,” to remain in that state for too long is going to poison your soul.
2. Folks won’t want to be around you. Granted, some people feed off others’ misery. It’s that old “misery loves company” idea. Most everyone, though, would prefer to be positive and upbeat, and be around folks who are the same.
3. But – being in the presence of chronic complainers is sort of like being exposed to secondhand smoke. You run the risk of developing the disease they have.

Second, who wants to be known as a whiner?

You know that person, right? It’s too hot, or too cold. The government is responsible for all their woes. No one understands them. Money is too hard to come by. We sure do need some rain. The sun hasn’t been out for days. And so forth.

And third, complaining causes you to lose sight of what’s really right and positive.

It’s a gratitude thing. More on that in a bit.

So how do you deal with a complainer? What can you do besides just telling them to “quit complaining?”

1. You have to decide if you need to offer support or run away. They may have a valid complaint worth your attention.
2. Acknowledge that you aren’t going to change them.
3. Understand that people tend to mirror the mood of those around them. Make sure that your own attitude affects them, and guard against them impacting you.
4. If their negativity and complaining starts dragging you down, figure out ways to limit contact. Easier said than done, right?
5. Adopt my mama’s attitude: “It’s just their way.” If complaining is a personality trait they have, and they embrace it, you just have to gut it out – unless there’s a way you can disengage from them with honor and integrity.

So, what can you do if you’re the complainer? What if you know you need to stop complaining?

1. Learn to recognize that trait in yourself. If you can handle the truth, ask someone you trust to shoot straight with you.
2. If people tend to avoid you, see if your negativity and complaining is a factor.
3. Ask yourself: “Am I getting some kind of validation or attention from others when I complain?”
4. Understand that complaining can literally rewire your brain. Seriously. Research has shown that complaining and negativity causes an increase in cortisol, the steroid hormone that is responsible for the “fight or flight” response. That’s not bad if you’re being chased by a rhino, but not so good on a daily basis.
5. Probably the simplest solution is just to keep your mouth shut.

However, the no-fail, works-every-time solution is to practice gratitude.

“But Tony,” you say, “you have no idea how lousy my life is.”

I don’t. I have noticed in myself that the skill of practicing gratitude can easily get atrophied if it isn’t exercised.

Here’s your practical assignment. Don’t argue with me. Don’t make excuses. Just do it. It’ll move you in the right direction to quit complaining.

1. You are going to get yourself a journal. Splurge on a nice one. It’s just more meaningful and valuable if it’s attractive and functional.
2. BUT – if that sounds lame to you, get a spiral notebook. Or a McDonald’s bag. Something is better than nothing.
3. You can use a digital tool, but there’s magic in writing in longhand.
4. In the morning, before you start your day, do this: In your journal, I want you to write down what you’re thankful for – at least three things. And if you can’t come up with three … wait. I’m not buying that. If you have a pulse, have the promise of food, and can find shelter, there’s three right there.
5. At night, right before bedtime, get that journal out again. Here’s what you’re going to write: (1) Your lessons learned. What happened today that taught you something, good or bad? (2) Wins. What did you do that was successful? It doesn’t have to be big or of enduring significance. (3) Gratitude. Write at least three things you’re thankful for. It could be repeats of what you wrote this morning. But shoot for at least three.

Don’t skip a day, unless you have some sort of genuine compelling reason to do so. And write, write, write. A mental list isn’t going to cut it. You have to get it out of your head and in front of you so you can see it.

In the realm of feelings, to NOT complain is simply going to make you feel better. That would be welcome, right? And by not complaining, you join that elite group of people who are known by their positivity, who brighten a room when they enter it, and just display that undefinable “something” others aspire toward.

Quit complaining. It can be done.

This particular blog post may be too abstract. This is basically an existential question: What were you put here to do?

This implies that your life has a purpose.

Are you comfortable with that? The alternative is purposelessness. Can we just take that off the table? That’s not an option.

If you want to start with a basic physiological fact, here ya go: genetically, there is no one like you. We discussed that last week. There’s no one like you.

If you are unique – and you are – then you are filling a life space no one else can. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, remember?

So what were you put here to do? Assuredly, you have a role to fulfill.

It would be a sin to go through life without a reason for living. That’s why I constantly remind you that hopelessness is not an option.

Fact is, you’re here. You are breathing. You are reading my words.

There is a reason you aren’t dead yet. It’s because you haven’t accomplished what you were put here to do.

• It’s okay not to have it all figured out. You may not know exactly where you’re going or where you will end up.
• Just start somewhere. I’m not talking about vocation alone. Just show up, and see where God leads you.
• Keep going, one step at a time.
• When you are unsure of your calling, turn to the one who called you in the first place.

Here’s another way of thinking about all this: You have to be before you can do.

In our world, we put a huge emphasis on activity. We’re supposed to always be doing something. I’m not advocating laziness or inaction. But I would say that in order for us to understand what we were put here to do, we have to sit still.

Choosing to be still requires faith. It requires trust. It requires taking ourselves out of the center of everything and putting God there instead.

Today, try doing the single most counter-cultural thing you could do. Be still. Choose to declare that God is working in your life. He is doing the work. See how that takes the pressure off? Want to know what you were put here to do? It was to do what He wants you to do.

What an adventure. He is molding us and shaping us and using us. The weight is on Him. We merely get to join Him in the work as He sees fit.

I often try to rush God’s timing for me. When I want to know what I was put here to do, I want specifics. I want details.

I get annoyed with Him for “forgetting” about me because He hasn’t opened new doors in my life or answered my prayers in the way I wanted them answered. But if you look at Jesus’ life in the Bible, He never ran. He never rushed.

Maybe if we took the time to not get all freaked out because we don’t have the answers we want, things would become more clear to us. Even though it can feel like you’re “stuck” and even awkward at times because you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing, take a breath. Slow the heck down. If we don’t worry so much about what we’re supposed to be doing, and wondering what we were put here to do, things will change. We won’t go into things that weren’t planned for us and we’ll end up landing gracefully where God wants us to be.

What were you put here to do? Relax. What God means for you won’t pass you by.

Want answers? We all do. But the answers have changed.

I heard a terrific story about Albert Einstein a week or so ago. Seems that Dr. Einstein was working as an adjunct professor at Oxford University and had just given a physics exam to one of his senior classes. As he and his teaching assistant were walking back to Einstein’s office, the young assistant asked, “Dr. Einstein, wasn’t that the same exam you gave to the class last year?”

“It was indeed,” said Einstein.

“I don’t understand,” the assistant said. “How could you give the same class the same exam a year later?”

“Well,” said Einstein, “that’s easy. The answers have changed.”

I found that a compelling little story. It is indicative of the world in which we now live. Think about it … I wake up to a country that on so many levels is alien to me. What was once virtuous is now a vice; what was once evil is now good; and the church of Jesus Christ, once considered even by unbelievers as a positive thing, is regularly maligned with impunity. In our society, the questions are the same, but the answers have changed.

Mercy. The claim that it is somehow a sign of a healthy, free society that by the way of a vote we can rewrite our language, turn our morals upside down, and trash our time-tested traditions is a sign of how lost we are. We are simply culturally messed up.

Don’t despair just because the answers have changed.

Some may consider this and despair. Don’t do that. The tomb is empty and the throne is occupied. Either God is sovereign and rules over the affairs of man, or He doesn’t. I can assure you He is not perched in the heavenlies, wringing His hands, wondering what He is to do next. “I’ve got this,” He wants us to know.

I wouldn’t presume to try to predict what He is up to. I do know this: We don’t give up hope. One day, God will visit us. He may visit us through revival. I’ve been reading about the 1904 Welsh revival, and man alive, what a joy to see how God worked in those days! And one day, He will visit us in His return, when all wrongs will be set right and all the fierce little kingdoms of this world – including ours – will be reduced to nothingness. The kingdom of God has already come in Jesus Christ, but the final consummation of kingdom is not yet here.

That is our blessed hope. We realize that we are pilgrims and sojourners here, because this is not our home. But we are still to engage with culture. If we simply conform to the culture, we would not be salt and light to the culture. If we don’t conform at all, the salt would remain in it the salt shaker and the light under a basket.

Don’t give up hope.

Perhaps the answers have changed. But don’t let’s give up hope. If you have an unconverted brother or sister, son or daughter … if someone in your family is far from God, don’t give up hope. The Lord could visit tomorrow and they would be saved.  Don’t give up hope in your church. Don’t give up on those who once seemed to seek after the things of God and are now absent from the faith. Let’s work together, and love each other, and strive for good together, because one day our great God and Savior will certainly visit us. He did so in a manger centuries ago, and will again one day soon enough.

Would you like to know how to banish personal self-doubt?

It can happen.

Here’s the plan. What I want to share with you is way beyond the scope of this blog. So I’m offering some more content, and it’s absolutely free.

First, some background.

I’ve been leading and teaching teenagers for over 40 years. I’ve always felt that I have significant gifts in teaching. That’s what folks have told me, at least. I don’t always believe my own press, but in this case – if passion for doing equates gifts – then, yeah, I have teaching chops.

I’ve always been fascinated with curriculum, too. Don’t judge. Don’t hate. We all have our hot buttons, right?

So over the years I’ve had the opportunity to write lots of curriculum – primarily for LifeWay Christian Resources, but also for a parachurch organization. Some freelance stuff, too.

And, in my work with middle school and high school students in local church youth ministry, I love putting my own materials together.

Of course, there is more to teaching than good materials, but it is a definite foundation for communication and learning.

Back to that teaser: How to banish personal self-doubt. What’s that got to do with teaching?

Well, folks, I announce, with trembling pleasure, the launch of the Transformational Encouragement Academy. That some hifalutin’ talk there, for sure, but you’ve humored me this far. Stick around.

In this season of life (isn’t that a poetic phrase?), I’ve found myself thinking about my years of ministry. I think about the hundreds – maybe into the thousands – of kids I’ve been blessed to serve over the years. I reflect on God’s impact in their lives, and how He has seen fit to use me in so many ways.

Since I’ve recently “retired” from vocational youth ministry, I’ve thought about how I can still minister, even multiply my ministry, and move into more training, teaching, and equipping adults. I’m aware that I’m finite, and can only be in one place at one time.

But that’s not so anymore. You’re one of hundreds reading this blog. You may belong to my Facebook group, Transformational Encouragement. That thing, which is a closed group – you have to be invited or request membership to join – has grown from just me to almost 700 since May 27. I think it’s due to the fact that so many people are sick of negativity both within and without. They need to be encouraged. They need hope. (Actually, isn’t that true of all of us at times?)

So the Transformational Encouragement group grew out of that.

Actually, so did this blog.

The blog came first, and it’s been so sweetly received.

With my desire to be an encourager, I got the very best training I could find so I could serve as a life coach. I’m especially interested in being available to coaching for teenagers. That’s still my first love.

But now, it’s time for the next reasonable step – the Academy.

What I propose to do is to provide practical, helpful, encouraging training and equipping online for anyone. It can be accessed at any time, studied at your own pace, and be available forever.

This is not about me. This is about you having your needs met and your life transformed. Nothing less will do.

So tomorrow – Saturday, September 21 – we’ll be open for business. And you can enroll in my very first course. Absolutely free.

Some weeks back I asked several of you if you’d be willing to take part in a project I was launching. Well, this is it.

My first course is – what else? – How to Banish Personal Self-Doubt.

Have you found yourself:

• frustrated
• scared
• doubting everything
• feeling of little or no worth
• simply low?

We all have those down days. Sometimes they can stretch into weeks, months, or even years.

This is nothing new. Throughout the ages, people – great and small – have been plagued with doubts, fears, and even depression. So you are not alone.

It may be that you’ve accepted fear and doubt as part of your life. But you don’t have to live like that.

The great news is that you can banish self-doubt and fear. You can put the past and your old habits to rest. This course will help with that.

This is transformational.

You don’t have to stay trapped in your current state. By the end of this course, you will have:

• learned just exactly what self-doubt is
• discovered the causes of self-doubt
• determined if you are genuinely plagued with self-doubt and fear
• considered and applied scriptural teachings on fear and self-doubt
• taken concrete, measurable steps to defeat self-doubt

How To Banish Personal Self-Doubt is for those who recognize those traits in themselves, are frustrated because of how those traits impact themselves and those around them, and want to be transformed into someone who is confident, assured, and positive.

Wanna be a pioneer? Sign up for this one.

You’re already on the right site. Just click on that little “hamburger” (three horizontal dashes) in the top bar, or scroll down to the very bottom of this page and click on “Courses.” It’ll take you right where you need to go.

Or, you can simply click on this link.

And just follow along.

Here’s one other thing – if you enroll in the course (and you really should, y’know?), then I do so want some feedback from you. And, with your permission, I’ll use any testimonials from you as promotional pieces for future courses. (There’s actually my second one in the works right now!)

So, there ya go. You may feel like you’ve been subjected to an infomercial. I’m okay with that.

So, be blessed. Be encouraged. Hopelessness is not an option.

We have a guest blogger today. Meet Talayna Davis.

Talayna lives in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia and is a student at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. I got to know Talayna a couple of years ago through our work with a church plant in Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge called Church on the Rock. Talayna serves with the church in its work with pre-teens and teens (and we love, love our Canadian brothers and sisters!) This lady is crazy gifted – she loves God and loves kids. She has a first-class intellect. She’s become part of our extended family, and Teresa and I love her much. So I’m pleased to share her observations on the word “fixed.”

Have you ever noticed the many definitions of the word fix? Lately, I have been stuck on it.

Fix

Verb

1. Fasten (something) securely on a particular place or position
   1. Direct one’s eyes, mind, or attention steadily or unwaveringly toward
2. Decide or settle on (a specific price, date, course of action, etc.)
   1. Establish the exact location of (something) by using radar, visual bearings, or astronomical observation
   2. Settle the form of
   3. assign or determine (a person’s liability or responsibility) for legal purposes
3. Mend or repair
   1. Do the necessary work to improve or adapt something
      1. Restore order or tidiness to
4. Make arrangements for (something)
   1. Arrange for someone to have something; provide someone with something
   2. Arrange for someone to meet or go out with someone in order to help them establish a romantic relationship
   3. Prepare or arrange for the provision of (food or drink)
   4. Be intending or planning to do something
5. Make (a dye, a photographic image, or drawing) permanent
6. Influence the outcome of (something, especially a race, contest, or election) by illegal or underhanded means
   1. Put (an enemy or rival) out of action, especially by killing them

Noun

1. A thing or activity that gives a person a sense of euphoria or pleasure and that it is difficult to do without
2. A measure taken to resolve a problem or correct a mistake; a solution or remedy.

The Lord has been showing me how in the process of fixing (fastening securely in a particular place or position) my eyes on Jesus, all the rest of this is accomplished.

• He fixes (mends and repairs) my soul.
• He fixes (restores order to) my life, my heart, my thoughts, my priorities.
• He fixes (puts the enemy out of action) the Accuser.
• He fixes (settles the form of) me so that I no longer have to wonder who or what I am – He has already determined that.
• His eye is fixed (establish the exact location of something by using radar, visual bearings, or astronomical observation) on me – He knows where I am. I am not hidden from Him.
• He knows my brokenness and He fixes (does the necessary work to improve or adapt something) me.

Because of Jesus’ shed blood my standing with the Father is fixed (assign or determine a person’s liability or responsibility for legal purposes). I am no longer held responsible for my sin. My crime against God is no longer.

• He fixes (makes arrangements for) my life, my future.
• He will fix (arrange for someone to have something) my every need – social, emotional, spiritual, physical.
• He will fix (arrange for someone to meet or go out with someone in order to help them establish a romantic relationship) me up with my husband, if He sees fit.
• He is fixing (prepare or arrange for the provision of food or drink) the feast in Heaven and has saved me a seat.
• I can be confident He is always fixing (intending or planning to do something) good.
• He has fixed (made permanent) my adoption as His daughter.
• I don’t have to worry about my choices because He has fixed (influenced the outcome of something, [especially a race, contest, or election by illegal or underhanded means]) so that whatever the Enemy intends for evil, my God will work for good.
• He is the fix (thing or activity that gives a person a feeling of euphoria or pleasure and that it is difficult to do without) I crave every day.
• He alone is the fix (a measure taken to resolve a problem or correct a mistake; a solution or remedy).
• When my heart wanders He fixes (directs one’s eyes, mind, or attention steadily or unwaveringly toward) it back on Him.

But what about you? Have you fixed (decided, settled on) Jesus as your Lord and Savior yet?

Two suicides. Actually, one was a singular suicide. The other was a group of 19 men who committed suicide on the same day.

One was performed as a final act of hopelessness. The other, the group suicide, was performed as a noble act of victory.

On September 11, 2001, nineteen terrorists who were members of al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist network, hijacked four commercial airplanes. In a coordinated attack, the hijackers intentionally flew two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and a third into the Pentagon. Learning about the other hijackings, passengers and crew members on the fourth plane launched a counterattack, spurring the hijacker pilot to crash the plane into a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed on that day, the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil.

Image: Harvest Christian Fellowship

On September 9, 2019, Jarrid Wilson, a California church leader, author, and mental health advocate, died by suicide at age 30.Wilson, known as a passionate preacher, most recently was an associate pastor at megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. A co-founder of the mental health nonprofit Anthem of Hope, Wilson was open about his own depression, often posting on his social media accounts about his battles with the mental illness.

A tale of two suicides. I am struggling to wrap my head around this.

Looking back at  previous blogs, I see that I’ve tended to bring up this topic often. My intent is not to camp out on this one issue. In light of this last week, though, I feel compelled to talk about this, because the intent of this blog is encouragement and hope.

Think about this again. Wilson’s suicide grew from him feeling that there was nothing else to live for. The terrorists’ motive was virtually the opposite. They were giving their lives to what they felt was the most honorable of causes. They died with the belief that their act would gloriously further the al-Qaeda goal of bringing the United States of America down. (There were other motives, I’m sure.)

I don’t want to pick apart motives in either of these cases.The number of suicides in the United States increased 24 percent from 1999 to 2014, gaining momentum after 2006 when the increase each year jumped between 1 and 2 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The biggest jump was among adolescent girls and men aged 45 to 64.

There is one common trait between these two suicides, though. Both Wilson and the terrorists believed there was a better world awaiting them both.

In a  series of Tweets on September 9, Wilson wrote:

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure suicidal thoughts.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure depression.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure PTSD.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure anxiety.

But that doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t offer us companionship and comfort.

He ALWAYS does that.

There are many factors that lead to suicide. It is always by choice, or else it wouldn’t be suicide. It is borne out of a perceived need, whatever that may be.

A couple of years ago, The Gospel Coalition published an article titled “Why Pastors Are Committing Suicide.” It was sobering stuff – factors cited included church conflict, comparison to other ministers, and unrealistic expectations. Certainly depression factors into this terminal choice – and depression often has biological roots.

So there’s that. In Wilson’s case, his death was of his own choosing. There are no evidences that he wasn’t a Christian. While I’d never, ever presume to know someone else’s heart, I believe he took his life convinced by his faith that he would spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.

Now we are on dangerous ground. This almost implies that suicide is a solution to the woes of this earth. Because, after all, for the believer, this world is not our home. Right?

That’s absolutely true. But suicide is not a solution to the griefs and sorrows of anyone except the person committing the act.

Now, regarding the terrorists, the 19 who also willingly gave up their lives. It appears they did this with joy, believing in an eternity with Allah, blessed with virgins, all that. They were, in their worldview, sacrificing themselves for their faith … and taking thousands along with them.

We have this juxtaposition:

• al-Qaeda suicide = joy.
• Wilson suicide = hopelessness.

Thinking about this will keep you up late. Both suicides had a “why.”

To further complicate things, what about the soldier who jumps on a live grenade to save the lives of his comrades? Is that a suicide in the same vein as the two I’ve already cited? Or is this kind of sacrifice of voluntarily laying one’s life down – literally, not metaphorically – something different altogether?

I’d contend that it is. But that’s not what I’m addressing today.

Remember that Wilson and the terrorists both had a belief that their afterlife would be better than their current reality? I won’t say anything more about the differences in Islam and Christianity other than (1) they are most assuredly different, and  (2) if you subscribe to belief in absolute truth – and I do – then they both can’t be right.

I know I’m flailing about here. So let me get to my points.

• Suicide always has goal of bodily self-destruction.
• There are many motives for suicide. We see, though, that they can be motives borne out of hope or hopelessness. There can be biological or physiological factors at work here.
• Factoring out the terrorists’ suicide, we realize that hopelessness is at the root of Wilson’s suicide, and others in a similar state.
• There is nothing noble or glamorous about suicide. It unleashes torrents of sorrow.
• With all due respects to Wilson – who may have been in the grip of sorrows we can never comprehend – there is always hope. Always, always, always. He had moved to a place where even what he taught others wasn’t taking root in his own heart.
• There is always hope because Jesus is who He said He was, and He made unarguable promises – not the least of which is that He would never  leave or forsake us.
• And – more importantly – He understands us totally, even when we’re in a pit of despair.
• When thinking about reasons, we have to remember that mental illness is a disease. Depression can be terminal. But God has all sorts of tools to bring healing. There are so, so many resources available through counseling, appropriate medications, all that. There is no shame in availing yourself of treatments available. And while medical and psychological professionals are equipped to do their jobs with excellence, God is the Great Physician, and all healing ultimately comes from Him. He has the liberty to use human tools, too.

I hope this is self-evident: If you find yourself in this place, get some help. No shame. No guilt. It’s  available to you.

If someone you love is in this place, get them some help.

Remember none of this takes God by surprise, and He is not wringing His hands wondering what He is supposed to do. He always gives the gift of His presence to the believer, even if He feels far away.

Our takeaway? You never walk alone.

Chill. I think you need to relax.

It’s because you find yourself in knots way too frequently. On really bad days, you can’t even suck in a decent breath. You have this sense of constriction, of the world closing in on you.

This is unpleasant (see my gift of understatement working here?)

Temperamentally, I’m not given to anxiety. Depression, well, yeah. But to spend my days bent out of shape? Nope. I just don’t find that much to get all agitated about.

I’ll tell you what is my kryptonite is along these lines. I feel that there are way too many times when I’ve wandered away from God. It isn’t that I’ve turned my back on the faith. Nothing like that. It’s rather an aimless drift, a sense of anchorlessness, of knowing where I should be and what I should be doing, and knowing that I’m not there.

I’m I hard on myself? Oh heck yeah. I can’t bear the thought of God being disappointed in me. I don’t want to let Him down. I want to please Him, because He’s daddy.

How about you? What’s your kryptonite?

• You second guess your motives and your actions, wondering in hindsight if you handled situations right.
• You have this sense of aimlessness.
• You wonder if you’re fulfilling your purpose in life.
• Heck, you’re trying to figure out what your purpose is.
• You feel indecisive and wishy-washy.
• You wonder if you’re adequately meeting the needs of those you care about.
• You can’t focus or stay on task because you’re afraid of failure.

If you’re a person of faith, then these issues are even more acute. After all, you are supposed to be standing on the Solid Rock. You’re supposed to be steadfast and unwavering. You absolutely shouldn’t be stressed … as you often say, “God’s got this!”

Of course He does. Unquestionably. Then why isn’t that a reality for you? Why is anxiety such an integral part of your temperament?

Guess what. I think you need to relax. You are just a fragile human being, who changes as much as the weather.

That is not a weakness. It’s just the acknowledgement of a reality. We are hard-wired to adapt to different circumstances and environments. We are going to have good days and bad days. Maybe even good hours and bad hours. All sorts of factors play into our shifting moods and feelings.

There are some people, perhaps, that are so steadfast that nothing deters them from their forward march. They are invincible. Aspire to that, if you will. I do think that’s attainable. But don’t beat yourself up if you don’t hit your marks every time.

That is, of course, not an excuse to be mediocre and ordinary. There’s no honor in that. I’m just pointing out that you have to be self-forgiving. And repentant – if you habitually screw up in one area, that is NOT a good life plan.

Beware of setting some ridiculous standards for yourself. Aim high, certainly. Don’t tolerate known sin in your life. Don’t be proud of being average. But keep it real.

I’m afraid many of us have been tricked by the Enemy into judging our own flesh.

In other words, we view ourselves through human eyes. I can assure you, that’s a no-fail way to feel anxious because you’re convinced that you will never amount to anything.

Do not buy into that lie. Satan knows that if he can get us to focus on ourselves with all our frailties, we’ve done his work for him. He loves to see us sidelined, convinced that we are losers, committed to a life distant and aloof from God.

Well now, grasp this:

Your faith is based on His grace and not your feelings.

The pressure is off. You don’t have to perform to be right with God. What is inherent in you that makes you all that special anyway? We are all frail creatures of dust. But because God  is gracious beyond human understanding,  He loves us just the way we are. There’s not anything you can do to make yourself any more loved by Him.

Remember, your feelings will change. You’ll have those days when you feel like a leaf in the wind.

In spite of how you feel, God does indeed have you in His grip. That’s where faith comes in – you anchor yourself in the reality of who He is and what He’s done. Grace covers all your anxiety, all your uncertainty, all your questioning, and all your confusion. He understands. Oh yes, He does.

I think you need to relax.

Today’s blog post will be short and sweet, like the old woman’s dance.

If you’re suffering now, you don’t have to pretend it’s all good.

I’m not sure what constitutes suffering. It’s an emotionally-charged word, but I think it can be too easily applied.

Your DVR not working is not suffering. Running out of mayonnaise and having to go to the store isn’t suffering.

Starving to death is suffering. Stage 4 cancer is suffering.

And a totally trashed relationship with no reconciliation on the horizon might be suffering.

The uneasy truth is that we all suffer. Every one of us. All of us. You aren’t exempt.

There is a line of thought in some Christian circles that suffering is needless. That if you pray right, live right, and “obey the rules,” then you’re exempt. Just have a positive mental attitude. God wants you to be spared from hurt, right?

And when suffering does occur, then we’re supposed to pretend like it’s all good.

Uh, nope. I don’t think the call is to suffer and then automatically say, “Well, praise God!”

I’m looking at Jesus here. There’s the savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing in mere hours ahead the worst conceivable suffering imaginable. Torture. Crucifixion. Abandonment by friends. Abandonment by God.

I didn’t see Him singing in the garden. I don’t see Him acting all hyperspiritual. I see Him hurting out loud. I see Him sweating blood. I see Him asking His Father for a way out.

Is there a lesson here?

In full disclosure, I don’t think I’ve actually ever really suffered. Sure, I’ve had some tough times, and if you’re familiar with my testimony from the last couple of years, there have been plenty of challenges. But outright suffering? Not really, at least not to the extent that Christ experienced. And there are plenty of other scriptural accounts of godly folks facing excruciating trials. Some persevered. Some didn’t end well.

You have to write your own autobiography for this one. You have to ruthlessly evaluate yourself and be honest – have you really suffered? To what extent? And how did you respond?

I can’t answer those questions for you. You’ll need to hammer those out.

Jesus unquestionably suffered. But at the end, He went to the cross with joy.

On the surface, there sure isn’t anything joyful about that.

However, dig a little deeper. What Christ experienced, and His response to it, was not a shallow consolation that knew no pain. Rather, His was a joy deepened by sorrow while recognizing the hurt of humanity.

Here’s my takeaways. I’d love for you to develop your own. It will salve your soul:

• You are going to suffer.
• A reasonable question would be, “To what end?” In other words, how can you learn and grow through it?
• How you respond to suffering literally impacts the quality of your life.
• You can choose your response.
• Choose wisely.
• There is a purpose in suffering. God could engineer circumstances so that we never experienced any hurt. But He doesn’t.
• Since He’s God, He knows what He’s doing.
• Furthermore, He loves you insanely, and it’s in the context of that love that He allows that pain.
• Big closing question: Jesus experienced joy. Maybe He even chose joy. So to what purposeful, positive end can you allow your suffering to make a difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of others? Gnaw on that one.

This is a tough one, but it’s worth taking some time to ponder.

As I write this, I’m in the waiting room at the surgical area of Baptist for Women, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. My sweet wife Teresa is back in the bowels of the hospital somewhere having her shoulder replaced – a nice metal ball plugged into a nice plastic socket. The doc says she’ll be better than new … she’s been quietly suffering for weeks now. It was time to get this done. By the time you read this, it may be over and done. Pray anyway – for a quick, uneventful recovery and that I can be the very best caregiver ever!