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