How to Share Your Faith Using Owen Wilson's Story
Wedding Crashers star Owen Wilson's recent reported suicide attempt has left fans and friends wondering. His movies have grossed over $1 billion. He's handsome and famous. How could someone so funny and so successful find life so depressing that he would want to end it all?
The answer is that despair and depression are battles for both the lowly and the rich and famous. And being a follower of Jesus doesn't make you immune to these kinds of struggles either. As a teen, you may have experienced downer times personally or watched a friend struggle. Know that if you ever have concern that you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, immediately involve a trusted adult in the situation. Erring on the side of over-reacting is always safer than 'hoping' things will turn out alright.
As Christians, when we struggle with feeling down it is essential that we turn to God in our distress. Focus on God and run to Him in prayer whenever you feel pressed in upon. Stopping and mentally, emotionally and sometimes even physically lifting your concerns up to God can help you give them to Him. Ask for His help and His comfort. This is something that can need to happen daily and maybe even hourly, just whenever you find yourself distressed by the tough stuff in life.
Another thing that can really help in tough times is to memorize some key Bible verses that speak directly to the whole area of feeling down or distressed. Check out some of the following for ideas:
"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:26-28).
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7)
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:5).
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:5-8).
If you have non-Christian friends who are struggling with depression, let them know about your faith and about God's love for them. It's inescapable that life is sometimes a downer apart from God. A famous dude who lived way back in the 2nd Century (named St. Augustine) put it this way: "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee." When you take all the thous and thees out, what he's saying is that we're created for God and we will feel restless until we find Him. So life can understandably be a downer apart from God.
And know that sometimes God uses the hurting and painful times to get people's attention and make them more aware of their need for him in the lives. Showing God's love and sharing God's message of wanting every single human to have personal relationship with Him are the most powerful steps you can take to help someone who is feeling empty.
So use the Owen Wilson suicide attempt as an opportunity to talk to your friends about God and life. Remember that prayer is your first step. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Is it hard for you to image that someone as rich and successful as Owen Wilson could ever want to end it all?
- Do you think being happy has anything to do with having meaning and purpose in your life? Share what you believe and how you have found meaning and purpose in Jesus.
- What do you do when you are seriously struggling with feeling down? Share how your relationship with Jesus impacts this area of your life.
- Do your friends know that you want to be there for them, if ever they are feeling depressed or out of control?
People can appear one way on the outside, but be experiencing something totally different on the inside. Don't miss the chance to share God's love with others, regardless of how happy or sad they appear to be.
