Why have so many young people in one area of Britain taken their own lives recently?

First of all, every one of those young lives represents an almost unbearable sadness for families and loved ones, especially parents. And there is a unique story behind each one, of which we know nothing. And, sadly, suicide is nothing new.

But, there does seem, today, to be a noticeable increase in the level of hopelessness, meaninglessness and despair. Why?

Life is hard.

War, crime, terror, illness, hatred, loneliness, poverty, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, no purpose, no hope, nobody, it seems, who tells it straight and no good reason to believe that it will ever get any better.

Death is harder

One day, maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but one day for sure we die, maybe a painful, tragic death, maybe not, but for sure we die. What then? Heaven, hell or nothing?

Any answer?

I conducted a funeral of a young man who apparently had taken his own life. The circumstances were horrific. The service was packed, with people standing. The family were sitting in front of me, weeping at times uncontrollably because of the pain and the loss. What can you say to people at such a time?
Some say we came from nothing and we are headed for nothing and so, apparently, nothing really matters. It is all absolutely meaningless. That is a philosophy of despair, a recipe for moral chaos, and part of the reason we are where we are.

A better answer

The Bible presents a totally different picture. Yes, life is hard, absolutely. Yes, death is harder. But, there is an answer. Life does have meaning. Yes, all those bad things exist, but there is something else. There is hope. There is a purpose for living. There is an answer.

That answer is the person of Jesus Christ, who the Bible says,
Died for our sins according to the Scriptures...was buried and...rose again the third day
Pain is inescapable in this world because we are not in a right relationship to our Creator. We have sinned, the Bible says. Christ’s life, death and resurrection has dealt with that sin for all who will turn to Him in faith and repentance.

There is hope, if you will only grasp the offer of hope in the Gospel. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, forgiven and have a hope that will not disappoint you.

The Christian can say with the Apostle Paul,
Death, where is your victory?

Death has no victory over the one who believes in Christ. He has peace and forgiveness now, and heaven when he dies. May God help you to trust Him.