The answer to this title… anything.
For the last few days I have read and heard pontifications surrounding the unfortunate death of Robin Williams. The fact is that a very minute number of those same people knew anything about him. Most of us only knew his persona. So for anyone to draw “certain” conclusions about his death and depression and their relation to each other and what should have been done to prevent this… is mere foolishness. It took me two days to cool down enough to write something about this. The arrogance and stupidity of comments I have read from people who profess to follow Jesus has been unnerving, to say the least.
You don’t know anything. I don’t know anything. Not about Robin or his struggles or his life or what caused him to take his life so, please stop.
When these types of events continue to come to the fore, what are some helpful responses? Seriously, what would Jesus do? A few suggestions:
- Resist the Rush Limbaugh, Al Sharpton, Ann Coulter, Jesse Jackson, Matt Walsh approach. If your response is inflammatory by nature, it is likely not of Christ or at very least not helpful to the current situation.
- Reflect on how your words may affect people who are already hurting in the same direction.
- Respond with Scripture… as a salve, not a sword.
- Remember your own fallenness and need for grace. Practice humility.
- Realize (and acknowledge out loud) that you may not know everything.
I know many of these suggestions overlap. I understand that not all of my readers will share my perspective. Can we all at least agree to say a prayer before we write or speak and allow our words to be directed by more than just our tongues?
Think Like Jesus 