Laughing on the Outside and Not on the Inside
As a millennial and as a member of the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors), I know this for a fact: Sometimes, people laugh on the outside yet not on the inside. Robin Williams reminds us of that. He made many laugh, yet now many cry. Having learned that he had claimed the Christian faith, I choose to believe the best and that he knew Jesus and knows Jesus in Heaven.
His tragic death should make us embrace life without prejudice toward those with mental illness. Mental illness must not be met with scorn or self-imposed shame. Rather, we must all remember that Jesus understands and loves us deeper than any doctor or loved one. He loved and loves Robin Williams. He loves you. And, in Him, we must put our hope no matter what we go through.
John 3:16, my friends. John 3:16. That’s what matters most in this crazy world, and changes our destination for the next. Trust in Jesus for salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That’s a fact.
At this tragic time, the family of Robin Williams needs us to share love and not gossip; prayer and not insensitive inquiries. Now is the time for America to pause and pray for not only those reeling from tragic loss, but also for those who are in the throes of depression itself. Now is the time to reach out and help someone instead of avoiding someone with depression.
If you or your family are in the midst of a similar battle to that of Robin Williams, remember that hope in Christ never fades and that there are people willing to help you (even if you can’t feel it right now). You are not alone. You are loved. No matter what people have said and done to you, Jesus wants you to know that He loves you. He sees you… now. And He loves you. Today, I pray that God would use me in spite of myself. Words frustrate and fail me whenever I desire to tell you how much God loves you. He loves you, my friends, more than I can ever say! He loves you. He loves you. He loves YOU. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your and my place. That’s love. Jesus bore the punishment for your and my sins. That’s love. He rose from the grave and conquered death so that we can live. That’s love.
Today, as I reflect on His love, I pray that He would use me to share His love with you and that you would then share His love with others. “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us” (I John 3:23, NLT).
Love. That’s the only appropriate response to tragedies like that of Robin Williams. Love remains the only way to respond to those with mental illness. Love. Pure love.
My grandpa knew how to love others who needed help to hope again. He was a pioneer as a Christian who also helped others as a counselor and Christian psychologist for schoolchildren. He knew how to make people feel loved and not rejected for their struggles.
There are people like that, my friends. Today, if you’re in the depths of despair, I urge you get outside help from a mental health professional who is a Christian. The time has come for many to start laughing on the inside as well as the outside.
