We all need Jesus terribly. A few of us have come to this conclusion based on God’s Word. We have discovered that we have been negligent, and very much confused. We have unplugged ourselves from the truth, and wandered into the maze of this world, stumbling in the dark.
Things are so distorted, that life has lost both purpose and meaning. We come to the point where light has lost its distinctiveness and the shadows have become magnified. A flood of confusion has made its way to truth’s walls.
As mentally ill people, operating from that viewpoint we are just as vulnerable as anyone else to deception. If we open our hearts to everything life brings, we discover our vulnerability. We are quite capable of disbelief. Our psychiatrist and therapist will very often create issues and conflicts. I respect their gifts and insights. But sometimes they can be stumbling blocks to real freedom.
But we have been called to the mud. At first we clean ourselves from our prolonged stay in the mire. It is great to stand on solid ground. We are separated from sticky clay, and cleansed from our filth. But there are so many left behind to wallow. They may not even know it, but they are sinking. We must reach out to them.
Our witness to those in the mud must be compassionate and bold. Often, they act out of their confusion, and reduce truth to their own situation. But we are called to be faithful, and to love them even in their lies. Let’s not let their confusion affect us. There is simply too much at stake.
As witnesses to Jesus’ power, we are the only ones who can intervene. Let us hold out the truth, and let us be those who are marked by faithfulness. We must be courageous, we must be thinking clearly. God intends to use us if we make ourselves available. Even if that means we step back into the mud.
Can a Christian believer attempt suicide? My own first-hand experience rings out a resounding YES! We can be so driven by major depression that it effects our relationship with the God who loves us and pushes us into a place of complete hopelessness. Very often, it is an attack by evil upon our lives.
Suicide is not a mental illness in itself, but a serious potential consequence of many mental disorders, particularly major depression.
Who is most likely to commit suicide? Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. People over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to be successful.
Suicide risk also is higher in the following groups:
•Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
•People who have attempted suicide in the past
•People with a family history of suicide
•People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide
•People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
•People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed
•People with long-term pain, or a disabling or terminal illness
•People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
•People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization (This often is a very frightening period of transition.)
•People in certain professions, such as police officers and health care providers who work with terminally ill patients
•People with substance abuse problems
What are the warning signs for suicide? Following are some of the possible warning signs that a person may be at risk for suicide:
•Excessive sadness or moodiness — Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide.
•Sudden calmness — Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.
•Withdrawal — Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
•Changes in personality and/or appearance — A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.
•Dangerous or self-harmful behavior — Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
•Recent trauma or life crisis — A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
•Making preparations — Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
•Threatening suicide — Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.
Can suicide be prevented? Definitely. In many cases suicide can be averted. Research suggests that the best way to prevent suicide is to know the risk factors, be alert to the signs of depression and other mental disorders, recognize the warning signs for suicide, and intervene before the person can complete the process of self-destruction.
Praying for and listening to the afflicted should be something we practice. The despair of the suicidal is intense, but it gets dangerous when that despair turns into resignation and calmness (without a resolution).
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37
Being insecure is like sipping sulfuric acid from a teacup. What we drink in is corrosive and harmful, when we think it is ok. We become saturated with anxiety and overloaded with doubt. We feel very unsure about ourselves, and become introspective to a fault.
Somehow verses like John 6:37 don’t work or apply to us. Such is strength of our hopelessness. It is durable and strong. Christians who struggle with “feeling saved” have a formidable enemy just within themselves, not taking in Satan’s attacks on their mind.
This verse helps us understand some things. First, there is a “chain of custody” in regards to spiritual headship. What comes to the Father, gets transferred to the Son. To enable this, there is something like a magnetic pull that people become drawn to Jesus. (Aside note: Jesus is wildly popular and esteemed among unbelievers; it is the Church that gives people heartburn!)
When we are attracted to Him, the pull intensifies. We grow sensitive and more sure. When we pass over that symbolic line we discover that we have great assurance of His love. The statement is made, “I will by no means cast out.”
“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go”. –John 6:37, The Message
“He holds on”! He doesn’t let go! This attachment of Jesus to us is strong and sure. Our issue comes when we focus on self and forget about Him. Thinking exclusively about your sin, and weakness, and mental illness takes back to the “acid in a teacup” analogy. But enough of that; let us live confidently, looking boldly on Christ and feeling His grip. He can’t de-attach Himself.
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”, NIV
Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”, NLT
Joshua told the people, ” Make yourselves acceptable to worship the LORD, because he is going to do some amazing things for us.”, CEV
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The three translations of the same verse in Joshua each contributes a thought that adds to the whole. Very often we need to make a comparison like this to speed our understanding. There is a common theme of spiritual preparation. Also anticipated is a direct intervention by God Himself.
Joshua is charged with not only the physical, but spiritual condition of the people. He has sensed that God is going to amaze everyone, and He is on the verge of taking this mass of people through the river and into the Promised Land. This will be the fulfillment of an awesome covenant promise.
Joshua has taken the initiative. He declares the need of the people to prepare. They are about to be led by God. He builds anticipation for the grand things imminently approaching. But the Israelites have got to prepare. They must get ready. Effort needs to be made.
We have a strong tendency to see God’s promises apart from our efforts to prepare for them. We think God saves us by grace. But a faith that doesn’t work, cannot save.
“We are not made righteous by doing righteous deeds; but when we have been made righteous we do righteous deeds.” –Martin Luther
We cohabit with a Holy God who is like a strange roommate insists on sharing everything. (Everything He does, in some way He does for us.) “He picks up the tab” for everything! Joshua, on the other hand, has 12 hours to get Israel ready. The people must adjust. He declares that everyone make themselves decent, to cleanse themselves from sin and give themselves to God. Israel must do some things to get ready.
We must not enervate our faith to turn it into some religious jello— a blob with no backbone. Our faith must work, and sweat. If it doesn’t, we are in trouble. I’m thrilled to be saved by grace through faith. It is a precious marvel to me. But I must remember that the grace that saves is a grace that works. I don’t want my faith to be jello faith. I want it to be a living faith.
“As in the candle I know there is both light and heat, but put out the candle, and they are both gone.” Unknown
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37
Broken Believers 