Wheaton College President Philip Ryken on Moment When He Thought of Taking His Life
Ryken shares he went through a "season of deep discouragement" for a number of reasons, including "challenges we were facing as a family that brought a lot of distress and grief to me" and some challenges in his work as a college president and ministry relationships.
He calls his troubles "extensive" and "unprecedented for me," and says they lasted for a period of a few months. During that period, he says, he gained weight, had problem sleeping and "thought of even taking my life… not in a sustained way."
He says people often think those who are leaders do not have troubles, and goes on to admit that he even doubted God's love for him during the time of trouble, even though he has a strong gift of faith. He describes it as a "new experience for me," explaining that there are times when you believe in promises of God, but also wonder if they are "true for you in a particular circumstance."...