A Petals of Wisdom Devotion by Susan B. Mead
The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that God is love, yet many still wonder about—and wander from—His perfect love. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, I wondered and wandered too.
So I share a story of God’s perfect love for one of His daughters, me. I lost a sister, a brilliant Ph.D. nurse. She did the unthinkable to end the nightmare of bipolar disease. She ended her life. Her note ended with “I pray to God, to Jesus…”
At the moment Mom told me we lost Bette, I felt a caress – a physical touch – across my broken heart and heard out loud, “I’ve got her. She’s MINE.” The peace that passes understanding—for I did not understand it—encased, enclosed, encapsulated, and encompassed me. There are no earthly words to describe a heavenly experience.
I would have believed the words of the world – I’m sorry she’s gone to hell for committing suicide. What I learned is this: Who am I to tell God what He can or cannot do?
Never before or since have I experienced anything like this. God used a tragic time of loss to express His indescribable love for me. This event wooed me to my loving Father God and turned my life directly towards Him and His exquisite love.
“For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
The world. That is you and me, sweet sister. Insert your name in John 3:16:
For God so loved your name, that he gave his only Son, that your name believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Such unfathomable, indescribable yet true love. The love of the Father for His children.
Do you believe?
Prayer:
Lord, you are the faithful God of love! Help to me to remember that your love for me is neverending. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!
Meet Susan B. Mead
Susan has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. Whether speaking to business professionals, women’s conferences, industry leaders or writer’s workshops, Susan’s insightful wisdom inspires audiences, empowering them to make healthy mental u-turns to help them find calm in the chaos.
Connect with Susan on her website at SusanBMead.com where she writes each Friday, on Facebook and Twitter where she posts daily inspiration or on Amazon where her award-winning book, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace and her newest book, Don’t Go Through Life Naked: How to Clothe Yourself in God’s Power, is available.
This article is a part of my current series, Sweet Smelling Fruit—Cultivating a Heart that Lives by the Spirit. Right now we are focusing on the Fruit of Love. If you would like to read past articles from this series click here.
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Thank you for joining me. I look forward to learning more about the fruit of Love with you!
~Kelly
His love is tremendous. Thank you for sharing this bit of your story, Susan!
I have a friend who told a similar story about the death of her dad… she said she heard God whisper to her. “I’ve got him!” So wonderful that we have a God who cares about our worries and pain. Thanks for sharing your post reminding us that we can’t talk about love without first talking about Jesus.
God is love! His love does not discriminate. I pray that those who are at the breaking point and thinking about suicide would reach out for help.Thank you for sharing this Susan!
Thank you for sharing your post. Jesus came to give us abundant life indeed and to set the captives free. He tells us to go do greater things than He did – and we can because He is in us. That is love!
Susan,
Thank you for writing this….as a lifelong sufferer of anxiety and depression, I KNOW firsthand the absolute nightmare caused by the pit of depression. I can understand why someone would take their life to escape this torture. I get it. I cannot and will not believe that a loving God would condemn a believer to hell who was suffering so greatly. I’m so comforted to know God gave you those distinct words when you lost your sister. God is love and He can’t deny Himself. Amen.
Blessings,
Bev xx
This such a good story. I was taught too that you would go to hell for suicide, but it is not for me to judge. I think you would just have to have never believed in Jesus. I know the devil is a tormentor and a liar. John 10:10 is clear, Jesus wants us to have eternal life, and abundant life while we are here. I did a blog post on suicide after hearing of two in the same week, It is a spirit that can be bound, we need to pray for these people and be strong for them. https://adaughtersgiftoflove.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/contemplating-suicide/