Deaths of Despair

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” — Psalm 91:1–2

In a recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy dropped for the third year in a row in the United States.  Kathleen McHugh of Harvard Medical School observed, “We're seeing the drop in life expectancy not because we're hitting a cap [for lifespans of] people in their 80s, [but] because people are dying in their 20s [and] 30s.” The top three spiking causes of death are drug overdoses, suicide, and liver cirrhosis due to alcoholism. Sanjay Gupta from CNN refers to these as the “deaths of despair,” which is predominantly happening in America. This is a sad reality of the hopelessness of our nation. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, we have looked at our own resources to try to “fix” our problems. We look to experts in and outside the church who teach that the solution lies within ourselves. They teach that all the help we need comes from within. What happens when you cannot find this happiness within yourself? As evidenced by the rising rates of the “deaths of despair,” it is apparent that many lonely Americans turn to drugs and alcohol. Scripture teaches us that true hope comes only from God. When life seems difficult and hopeless, we are taught to go to God and trust in God. In Psalm 91, we see the confidence in times of danger and challenges that comes from those who trust in God. What does trusting in God look like? In Psalm 91:14 we hear God speak,
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.”

The Well Church, do not place your trust in things that cannot give you eternal hope, but place your trust in God and hold fast to Him in love. Then with a mighty voice, let us declare, “A mighty fortress is our God!”