I was in California on a business trip, just yards from the beach, eating ice cream and laughing as the conversation drifted away from business. Eventually, somebody mentioned a friend-of-a-friend who had died by suicide. The familiar ache and nausea filled my chest. My coworkers stared, jaws dangling in breathless shock. So I told them about the physical pain, the exhaustion, the heaviness.
The last two weeks have brought news of too many people wanting to die. Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade ended their lives last week.
Our hearts are breaking with those in such pain. We are called to be the light of the world, a refuge for the broken and weary. So here are some things every Christian should know about suicide and depression:. WebMD lists at least 12 physical symptoms of serious depression. Chronic pain develops or worsens. Chest pain, migraines, stomach problems, and a weakened immune system are some common symptoms. Every part of me ached from resisting gravity, as though my cells wanted to collapse in a puddle on the ground.
My skin stung like lotion on a fresh sunburn and my throat hurt from the lump that lived in it. Sometimes people say suicide is the most selfish act you can commit.
But for many battling the darkness, dying seems like the most selfless thing to do. Depression often carries an intense, shameful sense of self-hatred. In those pits, I believed I was toxic and harmful to those close to me.
