Jesusluvsall's Blog

Some years ago, there was a controversial Netflix series that aired called 13 reasons why. It was about a teen girl who shared the 13 reasons why she completed suicide. I watched it out of concern for young people I interact with, so I would know exactly what is was about in case the topic came up.

As someone who has lived with chronic illness and chronic pain for about 30 years, I understand how the thought of death seems appealing at times and the desire for the pain to stop. However, there is 1 Reason Why that trumps any other reasons. We find it in Philippians 1:21-23:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;  but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

The 1 Reason Why is Jesus. Jesus has more for me to do in this life. Jesus gives me strength as I live with chronic illness. Jesus has helped me overcome so much in life to become his witness. If we have Jesus, we have all hope in any situation.

Yes heaven will be much better for me in the future. Being in heaven with Jesus will mean no more pain, no more doctors, no more struggles. But then there are the refugees and immigrants in my city that Jesus would have me reach out to in this life. That is my 1 Reason Why it is better, for now, for me to remain in this life. Heaven will be there for me in the future. I cannot say the same about opportunities to share Jesus with those who do not know Jesus. Once I am in heaven, I will be in a place that all people know Jesus.

If you are looking for a reason to press on past what is difficult, painful, hurtful, I would suggest one person- Jesus.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.