| Suicide strikes...AGAIN!This may wind up | | | | "We're gonna serve somebody." Even the |
| being the most important article some have | | | | atheist serves himself, enthroning himself as |
| ever read. I hope it will not only help a few | | | | "lord" of his own life. By placing Jesus |
| readers, but that it will open the eyes of | | | | Christ on the throne of our lives, |
| others, aiding in their understanding, | | | | spiritually, we become what the Bible calls |
| motivating them to help. I trust there will | | | | "born again" and we're completely transformed |
| be those who will actually clip it, mailing | | | | as we renew our minds. According to the |
| it to someone for whom they are concerned, or | | | | Scriptures, that same Spirit that raised |
| posting it in the breakroom.I've written | | | | Jesus from the dead dwells within us, His |
| quite a bit about suicide over the past few | | | | followers. Again, this has been my expereince |
| weeks and have received some remarkable | | | | and, I contend, the very answer that someone |
| feedback. I wrote on the subject because | | | | somewhere is needing. Your reading of this |
| there have been so many suicides lately and | | | | now is no accident.Dust off that old Bible |
| folks wanted answers. If you've read any of | | | | and look up the following verses: John 1:12; |
| the previous articles, you've seen some | | | | II Corinthians 5:17;I Corinthians 2:12; I |
| frightening statistics. This subject remains | | | | John 5:11-13.Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand |
| heavy on my heart and continues to be a | | | | at the door and knock. If anyone hears my |
| concern to many. | | | | voice and opens the door, I will come in and |
| | | | eat with him and he with me" (Revelation |
| For me, it started when a man with whom a | | | | 3:20). He's knocking right now. Open the |
| dear friend had been interacting was found in | | | | door.Three Keys to Vicorious Living1) Talk to |
| his jail cell with a cable TV wire around his | | | | God. We call it "prayer" but it's merely |
| neck. Then, another friend who led a Bible | | | | conversation with God. TWO-WAY conversation |
| study took his own life. Within days, this | | | | at that. So, be quiet and listen sometimes.2) |
| was followed by the suicide of another man | | | | Begin reading the Bible. Get to know the |
| who, along with his spouse, had prayed with | | | | Personality of the one who made came up with |
| and comforted the previous friend's | | | | all those Precepts for living life with |
| wife.Saturday, I officiated a wedding 2 hours | | | | Power. You'll find He's the kindest person |
| away. Incredibly, on Sunday, the father of | | | | you'll ever meet. Talk with Him as if He were |
| the bride took his own life.My mind is | | | | your best friend. |
| reeling as I write.Suicide has a frightening | | | | |
| air of finality. Filled with hopelessness, | | | | He IS!3) Make yourself accountable to those |
| despair, and tragedy, it's a word we like to | | | | who are living the Christian life |
| keep at arms' length. As a whole, society | | | | successfully. Like all babies, even baby |
| tends to look down its nose at anyone who | | | | Chrsitians should aspire to GROW to maturity. |
| would commit this gruesome act. We call them | | | | In a nutshell, we become that with which we |
| selfish, cowardly...I must admit, after | | | | surround ourselves. Surround yourselves with |
| seeing that beautiful young bride and her | | | | godly people and godly input.What if You're |
| dashing husband on Saturday, preparing to | | | | Already a Christian?First, ask yourself if |
| begin their lives together, if her father | | | | you really ARE a Christian. The word |
| were standing alive before me now, I'd have a | | | | 'Christian' translates as "Little Christs." |
| hard time refraining from beating the thunder | | | | Galatians 5:22 tells us what the fruits of |
| out of him. How could he do that to his | | | | the Spirit are, the evidence that God's |
| precious daughter?But I recall the day, about | | | | Spirit resides in us. Too many people believe |
| 15 years ago, that suicide entered my | | | | themselves to be Christians simply because |
| thoughts in a different way. I had just lost | | | | they believe in God. Scripture declares that |
| my job with a Dallas ad agency and my wife | | | | "even the devil believes, and he trembles." |
| had left me, taking our kids with her. For | | | | Truth is, unless we spend time with Him, how |
| the first time in my life, I was all alone on | | | | can we know Him at all? What relationship |
| a Thanksgiving, too broke to join any family | | | | works like that? Logically speaking, Church |
| gatherings taking place across the country. | | | | attendence doesn't make one a Christian any |
| Our church friends had quickly chosen sides | | | | more than going to McDonald's makes one a |
| and had shunned yours truly. It was | | | | cheeseburger. Besides, Church is something we |
| Thanksgiving Eve, sleeting and raining, about | | | | ARE 24/7 (meaning: "the called out ones"); |
| 16 below zero with the wind chill. I was | | | | it's not merely someplace we GO.To those who |
| sleeping on a mattress on the floor of a | | | | DO have a relationship with God, the enemy of |
| mobile home, my entire world seemingly in | | | | our souls can cause any of us to feel |
| shambles all around me. I remember waking up | | | | depressed and have suicidal thoughts in a |
| to the whirring sound of ball bearings | | | | moment of weakness. So might a chemical |
| rolling around in the furnace which was now | | | | imbalance. It can happen for all of the same |
| spewing forth cold air. I was dizzy, | | | | reasons mentioned above. The trials of life |
| disoriented, freezing to death in my sleep, I | | | | touch everyone, including Believers in |
| believe. Taking my own life with the razor | | | | Jesus.If the situation you are in is |
| sharp meat clever in the kitchen was the most | | | | something you can't change, know that God's |
| natural thought in the world to me. I | | | | the Inventor of Divine Intervention. As hard |
| formulated a plan to slit my wrists, crawl | | | | as it may be to do, continue praying for His |
| back onto my mattress, and let them find me | | | | help and covet the prayers of other |
| in the spring. Truly, I was experiencing the | | | | victorious Christians. Don't stop. He does |
| darkest hour of my soul.But God stepped in. | | | | hear our prayers, but His perfect plan and |
| The atmosphere became charged as it does when | | | | ours aren't always the same. Trust Him to |
| a frisky puppy runs into a room or a bunch of | | | | respond in a way that will be to your best |
| children run through an open screen door to | | | | interest. That includes the possibility that |
| get a drink from the kitchen sink on a hot | | | | He will give you strength and peace to endure |
| summer day. "Joy will come in the morning" | | | | your trial rather than deliver you from it. |
| suddenly echoed through my mind. I bundled up | | | | He's so much more concerned about our |
| and made it through the night, only to be | | | | character than our comfort. His number one |
| awakened next day by a startling crash as a | | | | goal is to conform us to the image of Christ |
| sheet of ice melted and slid off the metal | | | | who, Scripture tells us, was Himself sent by |
| roof onto the frozen ground. I looked outside | | | | the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be |
| and the sun was glistening off the melting | | | | tempted by the devil (Jesus is truly our |
| ice everywhere.Life got gradually better. | | | | example in EVERY way). Some of God's greatest |
| Incredibly better. Today, I wouldn't trade | | | | answers to prayer come in the form of peace |
| mine for all the world.Truth is, I discovered | | | | and joy in the midst of great hardship. You |
| another option to suicide. I found it in the | | | | can believe that He will see you through |
| Bible, God's love letter to mankind. You | | | | every storm in your life.Along those lines, |
| know...that perennially best-selling book | | | | take a look at these verses: Psalm 23; Psalm |
| most Christians rarely read? The good news | | | | 28:7; Isaiah 43:2; Romans 8:28; Philippians |
| about the current state of depression some | | | | 4:13.We are spirit-beings having an earthly |
| may be feeling at this moment, is that God | | | | experience. As such, you must ask God to fill |
| really DOES have a plan for your life - a | | | | you with His Spirit to help you tackle life |
| plan that can only be fulfilled when we give | | | | by His power. Scripture declares, "You will |
| everything over to Him. Listen, there IS a | | | | receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon |
| purpose for your life; a reason for your | | | | you." The Bible is full of God's promises to |
| existence. Your current, dismal, emotional | | | | love, strengthen, heal, and guide.The |
| and spiritual state may be the very | | | | Purpose-Driven Life is a Top-Selling book |
| springboard you need for discovering just how | | | | these days. Begin reading God's Word in a |
| valuable you are to Him, how your life can be | | | | Purpose-Driven manner: to discover new |
| transformed, and how others can be rescued by | | | | insights about His love for you. Ask the Holy |
| YOU. | | | | Spirit to guide your journey and to reveal |
| | | | truths you've never seen before. He's the |
| Tough times do NOT last. Tough people | | | | consummate teacher, after all. Accept the |
| DO!Perhaps you've asked yourself, "How did I | | | | fact of God's love for you by faith, NOT by |
| get to this point?" The answer? Gradually, | | | | feelings.Look at these verses and receive |
| just as drops of water will slowly but surley | | | | them from God directly to you: John 3:16; |
| fill a bucket. Everyone goes through periods | | | | Romans 5:8; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; |
| in their lives when they feel down. In time, | | | | Lamentations 3:22-23.Today's culture detests |
| sadness leaves and life goes on. There are | | | | any mention of this word, but here goes: SIN. |
| instances, however, when tough times, a | | | | If you want to walk in victory, acknowledge |
| strained relationship or some other problem, | | | | any sin that might be interfering in your |
| leads to unhappiness that keeps us in | | | | relationship with God. Ask Him to search your |
| bondage. When that happens, life can become a | | | | heart and pinpoint any problems. Then, |
| daily struggle with uneasiness, gloom, and | | | | confess and repent of your disobedience and |
| emptiness. Ultimately, hopelessness can take | | | | receive his forgiveness. Confess means "to |
| hold, creating a feeling of dissatisfaction | | | | agree" and repent means "to change your |
| with everything.Depression is often | | | | mind."Here are some verses for dealing with |
| associated with a sense of loss that can come | | | | sin: I John 1:9; Psalm 139:23-24; Galatians |
| with illness, the death of a loved one, | | | | 5:16-25.Help Yourself to some help!As part of |
| sudden unemployment, divorce, and so on. A | | | | the Body of Christ, you may wish to consult |
| chronic illness, or permanent disability, can | | | | help from other Body Parts. Professional help |
| rob one's independence, making them feel | | | | in the form of a qualified Christian |
| worthless, helpless, and angry. Losing | | | | counselor has proven to be one of the best |
| someone you care about, through death or | | | | ways to fight depression and thoughts of |
| divorce, can leave a tremendous void.Guilt is | | | | suicide. Look in the phone book and make some |
| another trigger for depression. Perhaps | | | | calls. Ask for references. A good pastoral |
| you're struggling with substance abuse or | | | | counselor can help you get a new perspective |
| another addiction or have made some really | | | | on your problems. Get a medical check-up. |
| bad choices that you're ashamed of that are | | | | Sometimes depression is caused by a chemical |
| about to be revealed. A childhood trauma may | | | | imbalance or other biological factor.Seek out |
| have left you feeling damaged and unworthy of | | | | a support group made of like-minded believers |
| God's love and acceptance. Maybe you feel | | | | that can minister to the area of difficulty |
| like a failure because you haven't achieved | | | | in your life. Interacting with others who are |
| all that you wanted in life.Whatever the | | | | facing similar challenges will help you feel |
| cause, depression often leads to a sense of | | | | less isolated.Force yourself to do something |
| hopelessness. You may feel as though you're | | | | the next time you feel down. Inactivity only |
| at the end of your rope. You may think that | | | | makes depression worse. Here are some things |
| ending your life is the only way to take | | | | to try:Talk it out. Call a friend and open |
| control.Trust me, it's not.What's next? | | | | up.Take a hike. Exercise causes blood and |
| | | | oxygen to circulate faster, which invigorates |
| The answer is simple. REALLY simple. You can | | | | us. The brain produces endorphins that fight |
| go on with life as usual, knowing where that | | | | depression.Help someone else. As you focus |
| may lead, or you can get a life. I'm talkin' | | | | your attention on someone else, your own |
| REAL life. For some, the fact that you're | | | | cares will become less burdensome. I often |
| still reading this shows that you desire | | | | refer people to watch "Patch Adams" with |
| another option. So, here's my answer. Ready? | | | | Robin Williams, then report to me on their |
| It's my experience that there is only one | | | | findings. Don't judge me on that; lives have |
| real source of hope for a life of purpose, | | | | been saved. God can use anything.Listen to |
| fulfillment, and joy.That source has a | | | | uplifting music. Choose your favorite songs |
| name...it's Jesus Christ.It is my firm | | | | and start jammin'!Here's the good news: |
| contention that Jesus is the answer to every | | | | Whatever you're struggling with at the |
| problem known to mankind. To those who are | | | | moment, this too shall pass. Whatever it is |
| still with me, that's either absolute truth | | | | you're going through, you WILL go through it. |
| or it's a lie. He said about His followers, | | | | Though things may actually get worse before |
| "I have come that they may have life, and | | | | they get better, they WILL get better as you |
| have it to the full" (John 10:10). If that | | | | place them in God's hands. Yes, we reap as we |
| statement is true, logic screams for us to | | | | sow and there may be some really tough |
| quickly become His followers. We must address | | | | consequences forthcoming to deal with. |
| the question, "If I'm not living real life, | | | | |
| what is THIS?" Through a REAL, experiential | | | | But whatever you do, deal with it!Remember, |
| relationship with Jesus Christ, overflowing | | | | "All things work together for good for those |
| love, forgiveness, peace, and joy can be | | | | who love God and have been called according |
| ours. Interested? That's a promise from God | | | | to His purpose." Translation? God takes care |
| found in the Bible.And God doesn't lie.Sadly, | | | | of the lives of those who turn their lives |
| far too often, even Christians settle for | | | | over to Him.Resist any thoughts you may be |
| Religion and Church attendance over a | | | | having about "ending it all." God has the |
| relationship with the Creator through | | | | uncanny ability of taking that which seems |
| Christ's teachings found in Scripture.The | | | | really bad and making things turn out really |
| How-to's of OvercomingI failed to mention | | | | good.If you'd like to subscribe and receive |
| that all the recent local suicides have been | | | | more of pastor Michael's articles by eMail, |
| committed by professing Christians. Did Jesus | | | | simply write and type SUBSCRIBE in the |
| promise His followers a problem-free life on | | | | SUBJECT bar. Or, keep returning to these |
| Earth? No. He actually said, "In this life, | | | | Pastor Michael has been broadcasting messages |
| you will have many troubles...." He DID | | | | of Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body |
| promise the power to face life's trials with | | | | of Christ by email since 1999. Since then |
| confidence, knowing that He will cause ALL | | | | these messages have been published on |
| things to work for our good.By the way, the | | | | numerous other sites, reprinted in paper |
| Greek word for "all" means ALL!He promised | | | | newsletters belonging to other ministries, |
| either to deliver us from afflictions, or | | | | have been used as a source of teaching and |
| provide the strength to endure them, | | | | preaching by ministers and Bible teachers |
| according to His plan for us. Here's the | | | | worldwide, and have ministered to the Body of |
| catch: to set that plan in motion requires | | | | Christ of nearly every major denomination. |
| giving our lives to Him.As Bob Dylan sang, | | | | |