Who is in control?

Perhaps you have heard of the young woman named Brittany Maynard who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and has decided to end her own life.  If you have not heard about this, you can read the story here: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/woman-brain-cancer-advocates-law-kill-article-1.1964843

Obviously this is a controversial decision.  Both sides of the issue have weighed in.  What makes this especially hard is the question, "Is this considered suicide?"  Some may say that it is considered suicide while others, like Brittany, would absolutely refute that idea.

From a Christian perspective, is it ever okay with God to willing end your life?  Now, I am not talking about giving into depression or mental illness.  That is a different topic altogether that I dealt with in a blog about Robin Williams.  You can read that one here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4546903407907944360#editor/target=post;postID=3413520863858777831;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname

I know that God is a merciful God and does not like to see people suffer.  My mom grew up as a nurse and would try to advocate on patients' behalves to their families to let their loved ones go if  there was no medical hope for them.  Does Brittany's situation fall under the same category?  Psalm 139:16, a psalm of David, says, "...your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God knows how long we will live and when we will die.  But, does that mean that life and death are in our hands?  Or does God control life and death?

If you were a Christian in Brittany's situation, what would you do?  Would you want to end it all to avoid the certain horrible, painful death you would face?  Or would you put your hope and trust and God?

Brittany's situation is a very tough one.  I feel for her and her family.  Her situation does bring up an interesting discussion about how we should respond to situations like this, especially as followers of Christ.