A Fish out of Water

M ore people are faced with the

threat of suicide today than any other generation.

  It has survived throughout history with no known cause or cure. It has claimed the lives of the innocent for far too long and yet we are no closer to eradicating it all together than when we first began to recognize there was a problem.

  Doctors have tried to prescribe medications in order to combat suspect symptoms, but yet it cannot be treated because suicide is not a disease or condition. Clinicians suspect that depression is a direct link, and when depression is finally cured, so too the issues of suicide.

  The issues of suicide are deeply rooted within and no amount of medication and or therapy combined will help eradicate it.

 To state that suicide is a health issue is like placing a band-aid on a broken arm.

  In fact, to suggest that suicide is the reaction of conflict in one’s life is a better placed statement that helps address the issue and with that, brings a new found hope.

  Suicide does not choose its victims, and there are no boundaries. Believers have succumbed to suicide and many have felt the after affects of its debilitating grip.  In a hopeless generation, suicide continues to prey on the weak, the affluent, the strong, and the healthy.

 Everywhere you turn someone knows someone who has been victimized by suicide. It is the never-ending six degrees of separation syndrome with unyielding influence.

 S uicide is a controversial issue

because scripture does not openly discuss whether suicide is right or wrong. It doesn't even mention a cure for suicide, but a cure it does contain.

   Deep within the pages of biblical history, we are shown examples of suicide and the reasons that people resorted to such violence upon themselves. Utter dread and hopelessness were the motivating factors driven by pride, greed and the inability to believe in the redeeming quality of God.

  King Saul did not have his kingdom taken from him right away, but he was rejected as king by God because of his direct disobedience to God's word. He was given a set of instructions and although in his mind his actions were sufficient, God's set of instructions were incomplete and rather than to admit his mistake and make any sort of restitution, Saul continued to fall short by making latitudes and excuses of how his way was just as good as God's instruction.

" You acted foolishly, Samuel said.You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord's command." 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NIV)

  Judas is another example of someone that was called into servitude, we know that he was never loyal to God because he stole money from the change purse that was used to fund the ministry.  He had an agenda and remained among the apostles for his own selfish gain. It was far easier to steal and try to get ahead in life by living among those who he must have thought blindly loved him. 

" But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot. who was later to betray him, objected, Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. He did not say this because he cared about the poor but becuase he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." John 12:4-6 (NIV)

  In both situations these men were tormented by evil, as we are told that Saul was tormented either physically, mentally or both and the only soothing elixir was the music of David's harp. Judas on the other hand, had Satan actually enter in him.

  The statistics are earth shattering.

Approximately one person every forty seconds dies at their own hand. The statistics aren't certain, but they are grim. Over a half a minute is gone and someone dies. It's hard to imagine, but it's all too real for most. It is almost a certainty that your life will be effected by it eventually, if not already.

 These same statistics also conclude that anyone who has felt the effects of suicide are more likely to end their own lives by that same act.

  The cyclical patterns of questions are always asked among groups as it is a constant demand and struggle to find more and innovative ways to combating and putting an end to suicide.

 One way to help is not only to better understand the symptoms but the mindset of a suicidal person.  A person who is contemplating taking their lives is in a desperate world of hurt. They empower the negative feelings and because that for them is a daily struggle, there is nothing in their lives that offers them any sort of hope.

 In talking to one person who had suicidal thoughts they said that it wasn't the act so much as it was more about silencing the voices or negative feelings and ending the blackness that they felt.

 Addressing issues common to teens and those in crisis is like pulling back the layers of an onion and most people do not realize that in order to feel better, sometimes addressing their pain will hurt alot worse before they begin to feel healthier mentally.

  Clinical doctors cannot come up with viable solutions or even a proper diagnosis because suicide is so often misunderstood.

 
  The bottom line to every suicidal situation is that there is a lack of hope. And therefore Suicide can be better understood and termed as a disease of the spirit.

  Everyone is a spiritual being in the sense that most believe that we all are a basic foundation of body, mind and spirit. Many people have varying degrees of understanding this but in general this is a good place to start.

  When the spirit is weakened or broken there seems to be a universal lack of hope and this draws in negative feelings such as dejection and aloneness. When these feelings are empowered, they breed a list of other negatives, that eventually implant themselves firmly within the human heart. When this occurs, there is a feeling of hopelessness and a feeling of loss, and the will to continue on is gone.

It is a hard thought to concieve that believer's too feel God has turned his back on them and they are left with nothing but emptiness and hopelessness to show for their faith.  It is in these times that it is essential to bring the wayward back towards Christ and help them shift the focus off themselves and back onto the Cross, the foundation for every believer's faith.

The Cross of Christ is an often misunderstood concept and this is the ideal place in a believer's heart Satan gains a foot hold and begins to work his misery.

To take steps toward the healing process, begin to read the messages that speak to the truth of God's nature as well as the heart of the believer.

Allow for questions and never allow the believer think that their quest is hopeless. Help them to understand in a gentle and loving manner and never leave them on thier own to seek God's word out until all thoughts and feelings of suicide have gone. Suggest to them other people within the church that may be suitable or may be able to help as well.

The greatest counter attack for our adversary, Satan, is unity. His best plan of attack is to seperate, segregate and isolate, and that is just how suicide operates.