I am truly heart-broken over the news of Chester Bennington’s suicide. Not just because he was a famous rockstar, but for many other reasons. I want to share a few of those with you. These are in no particular order, so don’t read too far into it.
1. I was a huge fan of Linkin Park during the Hybrid Theory/Meteora era. Their music helped me get through some rough times. I could relate at the time and it was cathartic for me. And yes, I am sad that a creative person won’t be able to create his art anymore.
2. Chester was a fellow human being with a soul and hopes & dreams who felt so hopeless and alone that he took his own life. From what I’ve read, Chester was the victim of child abuse, struggled with drugs and alcohol, and was mourning the loss of his friend, Chris Cornell who also committed suicide just a few weeks ago. Today would have been his friend’s 53rd birthday. Linkin Park also took a lot of flak recently from fans and trolls alike on social media due to a drastic departure from the “Linkin Park sound” on the band’s latest album, One More Light. I’m not saying that I know why he took his own life, but I know these things couldn’t have helped. This has nothing to do with his rockstar status. I have had friends and family take their own lives. Suicide is always a tragedy.
3. This is particularly sad because of Chester’s six children who are now facing the future without their father.
This is not the time for jokes or harshness or self-righteousness. This is the time to show our love. I know we all process these things differently, but there are a few things I think we can agree on. Suicide is a preventable tragedy. As Christians, it is our responsibility to love others with a love that is obvious. I hope I never speak with judgement or condescension toward anyone. I don’t know the spiritual, psychological, and emotional battles that any other person is facing. I can only love them and show them that love in a Christ-like manner. I can do that regardless of all other factors, so let me take this opportunity to tell you all that it doesn’t matter what our differences are, know that I love you and you are not alone. Keep your head up. It does get better. My thoughts and prayers are with the guys in Linkin Park, as well as all of Chester’s friends and family.
Share the love. Pass it along.
