My heart has been heavy with the burden of suffering and suicide for quite some time now. It’s all around me, my heart is broken. It seems as if so many people I know, care about, love or am acquainted with have been fighting suicidal thoughts. Depression and anxiety are so real in this world we live in. Mental health is something that we should all take seriously.
I decided to use my Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary to do a word study on suffering and suicide. During this study I was reminded that per scripture, suffering is inevitable in this fallen world. Gods reasons and purposes can not always be understood because it transcends human finite knowledge. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine” Isaiah 55:8-9. There are going to be times in our lives when we just have to trust Him without understanding. Some suffering can be caused by the misuse of God’s gift of freedom, but it can also be caused by satan and demonic forces. We need to be reminded that there is nothing beyond God’s sovereign control. He can use suffering to discipline, teach, mature and remind us to trust in Him patiently. Although it is difficult, as Christians, suffering should be received with rejoicing because it helps us to grow, mature and makes us more Christ like in character. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow James 1:2-3.
The bible records instances of individuals who have committed suicide (Abimelech, Samson and Saul to name a few). It is presented that the behavior of these individuals is not to be imitated. Sometimes the pain is so difficult to bear that one may make the decision to take their own life in order to end their suffering. However, suicide is never the right choice, God is the only one who has the right to give and take life. Our lives are precious and sacred. Therefore, we are to remain constant with God until His timing.
Moments in our life can really hurt and be hard. We could be suffering because of a poor choice we made, a decision someone else made, someone hurt us, we hurt someone, or the enemy is messing with our minds. The pain is undeniably real! But we have to do something about it, we just can’t stay in this place of suffering, depression, anxiety and pain. Its important to seek help, whether it’s from church, a Psychiatrist, Therapist, or a friend. God can use anything or anyone to help you heal. It’s okay to feel hurt or angry, I get it, you’ve been through some rough stuff. Just as long as you don’t stay there. We have to forgive! Forgiveness gives us peace and freedom. Remember, as humans we aren’t perfect! So how do we expect God to forgive us when we mess up, if we can’t forgive others? We need to ask God for His perspective of our situation. Ask Him for his help and put your faith in Him alone! Stop trying to do life without Him, it just doesn’t work! We were created by Him, He knows our needs best.
I think its important to remember that we are not alone, and we can get through anything. We need to pray and serve during these tests and trials. The bible tells us that Josephs suffering led to his blessing (Genesis 37-50). Jesus suffering led to OUR blessing of salvation! Because He endured, we get another chance at eternity with God. They never gave up, they kept enduring, kept going despite the pain and suffering. This should teach us to never give up! Job was another man in the bible that lost everything and went through suffering. You know what is so remarkable about these men? They continued to pray and serve God through it all! As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit who lives in us. It is important to remember what Galatians 2:20 tells us: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I encourage you to repeat this over and over as a reminder! The devil is a liar and will try and distract us from knowing who we really are. Christ lives in us! Our struggles can be used for His glory. We have to believe what God says about us. In Him alone we will find our worth and identity.
For those who have battled with suicidal thoughts, I want you to think about something for a minute. What if you went through with it and ended your life? Is it worth the risk of being tortured in hell for eternity? Is it worth influencing someone else who knows that’s the choice you made, copy you and end their life too? I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want someone that you care about, who is also struggling, to take their own life. Suicide is not the answer, it only brings more pain and grief. You are loved and wanted. Even if you’ve never heard those words said to you before, or have never really felt loved, I’m telling you today that YOU ARE LOVED! YOU ARE NEEDED, WANTED AND FULL OF PURPOSE! Jesus is enough, He is all you need. Be patient with yourself. It takes time to heal. Life is full of peaks and valleys, highs and lows, it’s a journey worth staying on. Don’t miss out on the highs because you decided to give up during a low. Not to mention, the highs wouldn’t even be as great if it weren’t for the lows in life. Finding the joy during your healing is possible. Talk about it, confide in a friend, family, church or counselor. Don’t hide in shame, expose it so that Gods light can shine on it. You will be okay, just take it day by day. Remember that God is good, even when we don’t quite understand and haven’t gotten our prayers answered in the way we expected.
I too have been in difficult places in my life but am so grateful for those hard times. I wouldn’t be in this amazing place in my life if I hadn’t endured through the struggles and depended on God to see me through it all. He healed me and uses me to glorify Him! He used it all for my good! Because of God I am able to write to you guys, encourage and minister to you. I would have never started writing if it wasn’t for the hard times I dealt with in life. I would have never recognized Gods calling in my life or started creating children’s books if it hadn’t been for the hard times where I continued to seek Him and cry out to Him in my struggles. He can do the same for you, just hang on!
Don’t allow the enemy to have control over your mind. Declare Gods word over your life even if you don’t feel like it! This is my prayer for your life! Speak these words over your life daily!
I have the mind of Christ, I will not look to the left or the right, only straight to Gods word! I will be like the tree that is planted by the water, whose leaves do not wither. I will prosper in all that I do, and I will bear fruit in each season. I will not be afraid or discouraged because the Lord is with me wherever I go. He restores my soul. I will walk by faith and not by sight. All things will work together for my good. I am a light in a dark place. I hear the voice of the Lord and the voice of a stranger I will not follow. I am obedient to the Lords instructions in my life and am in the proper position to be used by Him. I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath. In my weakness, I am strong because of His grace and power. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
