Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13)
Here are a few hard facts about suicide:
Over 29,000 people in the United States kill themselves every year.
Accounting for 1.3% of all deaths, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S.
A person dies by suicide about every eighteen minutes in the U.S. An attempt is made an estimated once a minute.
Why do people take their lives? They lose all hope. Stuff happens and then it keeps happening and they get depressed and see no way out. They experience torture in their soul beyond consolation and they want freedom from their inner chamber of horrors. They think no one cares so they figure why not? But is there a better way? The Bible says yes! As long as there is a God there is always hope!!
Here’s a story of hope from Acts 16. There was a man that almost took his life. He was the Philippian jailer and he had lost all hope. You see, Paul and Silas were thrown into jail for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. At midnight they were singing songs of praise to the Lord. All the prisoners were hearing them and we assume they couldn’t believe the hope these two had in the Lord in the darkest hour of their life. Suddenly a huge earthquake rattled the prison foundations and all the chains broke off the prisoners. The jailer knew this was the worst thing that could happen in his life so he drew his sword and was about to kill himself when he heard Paul cry out, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” The story continues:
“Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” (Acts 16:29-34)
That desperate man didn’t throw his life away, he gave his life away . . . to the God of hope. Look at the joy that filled his heart when Jesus came into his life.
Are you depressed? Have you thought of taking your life? Jesus is the One who died so why do you have to? Give your life to the Lord today and let Him carry the weight and restore hope and peace back to your heart. Jesus loves you and can help you . . . and He’s just a prayer away!
Louie