September 10, 2017 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Every year 800,000 lives are lost to suicide, and 25 times more than that attempt suicide. These are staggering numbers, and the stories of so many out there who believe they have no value, no purpose, and no hope should signal the need to share Jesus in more ways than we can imagine. Suicide has affected every race, both genders, and many different ages.
The Bible is not silent on the discussion of suicide. In 2 Samuel 17:23, Ahithophel committed suicide by hanging himself. Saul and his armor bearer both used their own sword and committed suicide. Judas hung himself. The Bible breathes with words of hope for those who suffer in hopelessness. We all know Jeremiah 29:11-..plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans for hope and a future. Psalm 55:22 says to cast our cares on the Lord, Psalm 34:18-19 tells us the Lord is close to our broken hearts and those who are crushed in spirit, with the promise that He alone will deliver us from those clutches.
There is hope in scripture, which means there is a path for honest discussion and openness. This dialogue simply requires a willing heart, and a commitment to carry the love of Jesus to the hurting hearts and lost in this world.
The other day to make note of is October 10, 2017- World Mental Health Awareness Day. Educate yourself on the patterns of mental health issues, their causes, and solutions. Take advantage of this annual reminder to learn how the many mental health issues out there affect people. People you know, who often hide their personal ordeal from us for fear of ridicule,
non-acceptance, and shame. Open your arms, mind, and heart to those who may be struggling through something you never thought you could help with. Your love and understanding is often the exact help they need.
This month’s theme is ‘Fall Into Grace’. The gospel is the beautiful message of God’s restoration of our lives in all of our brokenness. God’s grace is the unmerited favor we receive through Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. This is the only path by which reconciliation back to God occurs. If we consider a life without Jesus, without His death that satisfied the debt for all humanity, the darkness of that life, and the hopelessness of that life- then we can slightly understand the lost souls wondering in the world of a mental health disorder. Every life must know who Jesus is and why he came, we must share the gospel story.
His story may be the exact words people need to fall into grace instead of falling into the darkest pit of despair that exists for them in their most terrifying moment of need.
Reference:
“WSPD Home.” World Suicide Prevention Day 2017, iasp.info/wspd2017/
World Health Organization (http://www.who.int)