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