Well, while it is definitely a heart thing, it is also a mind thing. I don't remember a time in my life where I have seen so many people depressed, dejected, oppressed, suicidal. We have more 'things' than ever and are less satisfied than ever. In the last 24 hours I've received 4 messages about attempted suicides, 3 more than hinted they were considering suicide and several more than just felt they were at wits end. .
Do I just have a lot of depressed friends? Or is the devil stepping up his attacks? In truth a couple of those messages were not about people I knew personally. The messages were from folks wanting me to pray and/or request that others pray for situations they don't know how to handle.
They are heartbroken, they want to fix things. The good news is they have a shot at that, far too often people don't get a second chance. Whether they see the signs and react or they miss the signs totally, that friend, that loved one in one moment of despair takes away any chance to fix it. There are a lot of folks with opinions on suicide, heck on depression in general.
I grew up in world that believed 'you just get over it' and sometimes you do need to do that. I'm no expert and this blog isn't meant to be a 'guideline' for dealing with these types of things. I'm just telling you what I do know. I know that there is a cry for help. Now many times this cry happens over and over until it becomes like the boy who cried wolf, folks have tuned it out.
Many times the cry is private and almost no one knows. Many times the cry is disguised and we see it as helplessness or hopelessness, wallowing in self-pity. The cry can come in so many ways that is why it is often missed. There is no 'one size fits all' cry.
Sometimes the cry is only for attention, there is no real intent to harm themselves, but believing that is always the case is a dangerous path. There are some other things I know. If someone threatens to harm themselves you need to take drastic measures. Get help and get it quickly. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help if you are the one with suicidal thoughts. Do not think you have to handle it by yourself. Do NOT think the world is better off without you, no matter what your current situation is!
Some things for you to remember whether you are the person with these thoughts or it is someone you love. Jesus loves you! He loved you so much that He died for you. He will NEVER abandon you, no matter who else in your life has! He wants to help you but He is a gentleman, He will never 'take over', you must ask Him.
There are people who want to help you but you have to take that first step (or if you are the loved one - you may have to take that step for them). Every situation is different, but Jesus is always the answer. Now counseling may help, if you have a chemical imbalance meds may help but the only long lasting answer is Jesus.
I have gone through situations that I wonder 'Why?' but then I look at how I'm blessed and I wonder 'Why not?'. If you are struggling you need to find help. It may be a counselor, a church or a hospital but you need to ask for help! You need to be willing to receive help. Jesus wants to help you but if you don't let Him, He can't. The same is true of a counselor, a church, family, friends or a hospital. They cannot make you accept the help.
That is where this is very tricky. When you are depressed and oppressed you may feel you don't deserve help. That is not true. The devil may tell you that there is no help, well he is a LIAR! He wants you miserable and will do/say anything to keep you that way.
You need prayer, you need healing in your mind, body and soul. You pray and feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, well keep praying. God is not limited by our perceptions! He is there and He is listening.
If you have gone through this with a family member, I'm so sorry! I wish I could take your pain away. I wish I could give you an explanation that makes sense. All I can tell you is that, in spite of it all, Jesus loves you. Let Him help you today!
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