Preserving the will to Live

Preserving The Will To Live

Eileen Renders                      2024

   Often, we hear one say; “He has lost his will to live” and some of us may believe that this person desires to die, or does not have any concern as to whether he, or she lives, or dies. Yet we may be left with the concept of why this person cares no more about living, or dying. Another way of analyzing this state of life might be to ask one’s self what keeps another person from working to extend their life and avoid death as long as possible.

   Thinking about why one desires to sustain life as long as possible is an easier and more positive way of dissecting why one may have lost the will to live. Under normal conditions, most of us love our family, enjoy time together with friends, have a few goals in life, and can enjoy some sort of financial stability and good health. With that thought in mind, it becomes more understandable to realize why some who have lost their family, are not enjoying the benefit of working and possibly due to ill health, may find no joy in life, and have lost motivation to keep repeating day after day in loneliness and pain.

   We may wonder; “Is there a way to ignite some joy in that person’s life?” Or, could that become our mission? Now this type of questioning of ourselves requires a self-examination. There are questions to be asked and answers that can help us decide whether this is something that is within our capabilities.

   Some of those questions might be; Do we have a grandfather, grandmother, or family member who is experiencing depression and not thriving well?  Do we have the time and interest to Volunteer at a local Nursing Home, and visit someone who is without family? Any one of us who can show interest and love to another human being who is lonely and suffering is doing God’s work because we are bringing the Light of Christ back into their life.

   It is important to note that God sees all, and hears all.  And no one can outdo God in love and mercy for God is love. His blessing for such service may be that we who provide such love and mercy to others will one day as we are facing death will feel God’s presence with us as He returns the love, and mercy we once gave to another. And our departure from this world will be one of joy such as “Going Home” again.