When Facing Death

Thoughts on suicide were shared online last week in the story of Brittany Maynard this story. As a Christian who believes in God, I disagree with suicide or ending our life on our own terms. I loved Kara Tippetts words - there is peace in our trials, cause as we descend into them, Christ is there. He has gone before us. He did not give in until it was all finished - John 19:30. We show courage as we continue to endure and face the trial, come what may. I also agreed with many thoughts shared by Matt Walsh - mainly: Life has value, we are not our own!! Christ bought us with his atoning blood. Christ showed us the way, we need to let go of our will and humbly receive God's will in our life. Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who faced leukemia, shared it this way:

“As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’—meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus” (- October 1997 General Conference, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 22).

There was a purpose to Christ's suffering, and there is purpose to ours.

-Agony in Gethsemane by Frans Schwartz

My prayer is that we might not shrink in our trials, but fully put our whole trust in God and let His will be done.