I just got done watching “I still believe”, a movie based on a brief part of Jeremy Camp’s life. For those who do not know Jeremy Camp, he is a Christian music artist who penned this song shortly after the death of his first wife after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During the movie, both Jeremey and his wife Melissa wrestle with the idea that she is going to die young (early 20s) and what this means for both of them. Jeremey goes into a state of depression and gives up playing guitar for a while until he has a heart to heart with his dad, Tom, played by Gary Sinise. Before her death, Melissa tells Jeremy, “if one person discovers Jesus because of what I go through, it will all be worth it”. For a time, it seems, Jeremy does not feel this same sentiment. But eventually, he goes on to become one of the best-known Christian artists today, and during his concerts, he makes sure to tell Melissa’s story. So what does this story have to do with reflecting on 2020?

Throughout the past year, we have all been affected in some way to death. Early on in the year the world was shocked to hear that Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident with his daughter. All of LA was in a state of mourning it seemed and the world seemed to freeze for a minute as we all remembered his life in some way. Later, Covid-19 would reach global pandemic proportions and would result in the death of millions worldwide. Even if we did not have someone close to us die we all know someone who tested positive. Also, we are all still dealing with the societal changes brought about by trying to remain 6 feet apart and social distancing. For many, there is a secondary concern, depression. Whenever things do not go according to plan, we are all susceptible to depression, for Jeremy it was the death of his wife Melissa. For LA and Venessa (Kobe’s wife) it was the loss of Kobe, for the rest of us, it is the short and long-term effects of Covid-19. No matter how you look at it 2020 was a disaster.

There is one thing Melissa says in the movie I want to look at closer. At one point she tells Jeremy “I’ve learned that suffering doesn’t destroy faith, it refines it”. Interesting. Many people deny the existence of God based on such circumstances as mentioned above. They see it as “how could a God, who loves His creation so much, be okay with seeing its destruction? How could God let those he loves, suffer?” For them, horrible situations prove God’s non-existence. But what if there is more to this life than the material? If God is real then that means there is more beyond what we can see, feel, or touch. If this is true then would God be more interested in saving us from death or from eternal separation from Him?

I’ve learned that suffering doesn’t destroy faith, it refines it

“But wait”, many would say at this point, “how in the world, would God use something so tragic to bring someone close to him? If anything allowing the tragic would only drive someone away from Him not toward Him”! The idea behind this is “why would God allow situations that we would not be able to handle”? We like to be in control. Being able to predict our daily lives is something we are comfortable with. When we seem to lose this control we feel helpless and can’t understand why God would allow us to suffer in such a way as to make us feel out of control. But we have to ask, “If we can handle all these circumstances ourselves why would we need God?” See, God often puts us in places where we are at a loss. We have no place to turn or run because God is trying to get us to turn to Him. But why is this important? Why can’t God just give us a life that is free of pain and heartache? After all, if He is all-powerful and all-loving, wouldn’t He want us to be happy and healthy? The answer is as simple as He wants to give us more than this world has to offer, namely himself. Would a loving parent give their child something less when something more is in the future? Why would I allow my child to go to a sleepover at a friend’s house when I have time planned for just us? This is what we miss. In today’s society, we are so preoccupied with what this world has to offer we often believe this is all there is. If this is the case we should do everything we can to hold on to it. We should deny death, not discuss it, and stay alive at all costs. We would rather bury our heads and just enjoy the moment instead of thinking about where we are all headed. But by holding on so tightly to this world we will miss the “something better” God has for us after all this ends. This is hard for many people to be okay with since what could be better than what we already have? This is why a deep dive into the nature of Heaven, Jesus, God, and The Holy Spirit is so important. Once we get a hold of these concepts and what it all means the more we will get excited about spending forever with him and being okay with death. Once the child understands they are going to Disney the less they will miss the sleepover. Christianity isn’t about things we get. Heaven isn’t about doing things we think we’d like to do. Its all about relationships and most notably a relationship with God himself. Through him all relationship grounded in him will be restored.

If we believe in God’s good plan for us, and that we are all destined to die, then a good father would do everything He can to prepare us for that moment when we pass from this life and into the next. To do this He NEEDS to show us that He is what we need. We do not need a good job, health, money, power, a life of ease, etc., we need God. Since God is non-material then losing the things that are material means we have to come face to face with Him. When all else is gone and God is all that is left we will either choose to believe Him or reject Him. But what is it we are rejecting? Ultimately God, but by doing so also, hope

1 cor 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can endure it”. Many people take this to mean that God will not give you more than you can handle. This is simply not true. God will often give you more than you can handle because by doing so he breaks you down to the point He is the only place left to turn. He knows that His glory and holiness are what you need more than anything else, including your life or the life of a loved one. Since He is the author and giver of life He knows that the only way you can be truly happy is through him. This means, sometimes, taking everything away we hold dear for us to turn to what we truly need, God himself. It is through Him all of our relationships, past and present, can be restored. It is only through Him that loss is temporary. The more we realize this the more we will pursue hard after Him, instead of something more fleeting. By learning more about Him, and cultivating a relationship with Him, the more we will be okay with whatever our lot might be. Why? Because we will realize that in Him loss is only temporary.
Coming to the end of 2020 we are all in need of a glimmer of hope. It is through hope that depression can be overcome. Without hope, depression will grow and become even darker. We all need to know that something better is coming. Without God, life is cruel, heartless, and, depressing. With God, there is hope that loss is temporary and that there is some meaning in suffering. This is why Jeremy can sing, “I still believe” because the abandonment of this belief is an abandonment of hope. It is why Horatio Spafford can sing, “When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know It is well, it is well, with my soul”. This hope is why MercyMe can sing, ” I know there’ll be days. When this life brings me pain. But if that’s what it takes to praise You, Jesus, bring the rain”. Job declares, “even though He slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). Knowing God is the author and giver of life means that placing our trust in him is life. It is through him “good-bye” is not a true good-bye, but more of a “see you later”. It is through trust in him that death does not have the final say. Hosea 13:14: “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?” What better hope is there than to know, for those in Christ, we will all see each other again? It is then through tears as a loved one is dying we can say “it is well”.

Disclaimer: this is not downplaying depression. Clinical depression is real and debilitating. Sometimes the only way out is through medication. Some people suffer from chemical imbalances, and they need more help than a change of perspective. Even for those who are not suffering from this form of depression, 2020 was still hard. I am not trying to minimize anyone’s loss. I am simply saying that living for God grounds our perspective, and offers a solid foundation when everything else is crashing down around us. He is also the only one who can offer any true and lasting hope past this life. If you need help please visit a licensed professional or talk with someone close with you. The worst thing one can do is to remain alone. Our darkness thrives in solitude and the more we pull away the worse things will get. 2020 was hard but there is hope.