Time is of course a physical property which may or may not exist after we die. Either way, eternity, I personally believe, will make this life on Earth seem like the blink of an eye (with respect to time). I do believe however, that there is significance and purpose to our brief life on this planet!
The problem is that many of us, (myself included), have and will make huge mistakes, which can partially or completely destroy our overall experience in this mortal life. With some, there are serious problems which are not our fault at all, possibly existing at birth (or conception), which can also take much of the joy from this existence.
This is why I believe it's incredibly comforting to know that this extremely flawed existence does not last long, (even if we live to be 100). Also, even if we screw much (or all) of it up, there is always a chance of turning things around and doing something awesome and extremely productive before we end up moving on to the next realm.
We might even create a legacy here on Earth which carries on long after we're gone, even AFTER we've made these massive mistakes. These opportunities can pop up out of nowhere, at any time, and bad luck can flip over to good luck just as easily. I don't mean to sound unrealistic or OVERLY optimistic, but these things honestly do happen, and I can say that from experience.
Even if this DOESN'T happen, what transpires in the next realm of our existence matters a whole lot more than what our experiences are in this one.
I've learned from previous threads and posts, that many members in this forum believe, and hope for nothingness in our next chapter. They believe in and/or want non-existence, and this is a definite possibility (none of us really know for sure). This would change the situation quite a bit (both here and there!).
If however, God and heaven do exist, then the reality of an amazing eternal life is highly possible, even if someone DOES feel there is no other way of escaping their intense pain and suffering.
Suicide, whether it is assisted and safe, or unassisted and dangerous, is NOT an unforgivable sin. According to the Bible, the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
This means that while life is precious and should be preserved, respected, and enjoyed whenever possible, I believe he does understand and forgive in extreme circumstances, when there is great suffering and other solution(s) to remedy the problem(s) are completely exhausted. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that suicide prevents someone who believes in God from going to heaven.
The main point of this thread is that eternity is a very long time. If you could theoretically draw the line on a graph, and then draw the line for our time on Earth beside it, there would be no comparison. Our mortality would be just a blip.
Personally, this gives me great comfort. I am also currently suffering intensely, and for most of my life did not (almost 60 years of health & happiness). I've also been a Christian since very young. I've attended church since childhood, and also played the drums and piano on worship teams for many decades.
I really struggle with with my situation currently, but I'll never turn my back on God. I will love him for eternity. The reason for this is partly because the suffering I'm experiencing on Earth won't last long, even though my plan is to try and make it to the end of my natural lifespan.
The other more important reason, is that I believe God gave us this life in the first place. We may be suffering (just like Job did in the Bible), for a short time while here, stuck in these fragile bodies on Earth. I'm far more concerned however, about what happens to all of us in the next life, as the possible reality of eternity in heaven with God and our loved ones, excites me infinitely more than anything else.
The problem is that many of us, (myself included), have and will make huge mistakes, which can partially or completely destroy our overall experience in this mortal life. With some, there are serious problems which are not our fault at all, possibly existing at birth (or conception), which can also take much of the joy from this existence.
This is why I believe it's incredibly comforting to know that this extremely flawed existence does not last long, (even if we live to be 100). Also, even if we screw much (or all) of it up, there is always a chance of turning things around and doing something awesome and extremely productive before we end up moving on to the next realm.
We might even create a legacy here on Earth which carries on long after we're gone, even AFTER we've made these massive mistakes. These opportunities can pop up out of nowhere, at any time, and bad luck can flip over to good luck just as easily. I don't mean to sound unrealistic or OVERLY optimistic, but these things honestly do happen, and I can say that from experience.
Even if this DOESN'T happen, what transpires in the next realm of our existence matters a whole lot more than what our experiences are in this one.
I've learned from previous threads and posts, that many members in this forum believe, and hope for nothingness in our next chapter. They believe in and/or want non-existence, and this is a definite possibility (none of us really know for sure). This would change the situation quite a bit (both here and there!).
If however, God and heaven do exist, then the reality of an amazing eternal life is highly possible, even if someone DOES feel there is no other way of escaping their intense pain and suffering.
Suicide, whether it is assisted and safe, or unassisted and dangerous, is NOT an unforgivable sin. According to the Bible, the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
This means that while life is precious and should be preserved, respected, and enjoyed whenever possible, I believe he does understand and forgive in extreme circumstances, when there is great suffering and other solution(s) to remedy the problem(s) are completely exhausted. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that suicide prevents someone who believes in God from going to heaven.
The main point of this thread is that eternity is a very long time. If you could theoretically draw the line on a graph, and then draw the line for our time on Earth beside it, there would be no comparison. Our mortality would be just a blip.
Personally, this gives me great comfort. I am also currently suffering intensely, and for most of my life did not (almost 60 years of health & happiness). I've also been a Christian since very young. I've attended church since childhood, and also played the drums and piano on worship teams for many decades.
I really struggle with with my situation currently, but I'll never turn my back on God. I will love him for eternity. The reason for this is partly because the suffering I'm experiencing on Earth won't last long, even though my plan is to try and make it to the end of my natural lifespan.
The other more important reason, is that I believe God gave us this life in the first place. We may be suffering (just like Job did in the Bible), for a short time while here, stuck in these fragile bodies on Earth. I'm far more concerned however, about what happens to all of us in the next life, as the possible reality of eternity in heaven with God and our loved ones, excites me infinitely more than anything else.
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