Nena Arias | November 28, 2022
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you
or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8)
Earthly life is our schooling and testing ground not only for this life but for the one to come as well. We can experience hard times as well as good times. The good times are enjoyable and may leave lasting good memories. When hard times come some can make it through and some not so much. They are left feeling as if they are drowning. Sadly, we are hearing of those who feel the only way out is through suicide. They are seeing that as their way of escape. It is becoming such commonplace to hear of someone’s passing by their own doing.
Suicide is a heavy topic, and I don’t mean to deal with it in this article in a light way. By the same token, it is happening so much that we dare not ignore it or keep silent about it. We see how social media is contributing to ruin people’s lives that once they are betrayed, bullied, and harassed they opt for suicide. They feel helpless to restore their good name or honor and they hopelessly despair and prefer to end it all, or so they think. Suicide is never the answer.
Some people who struggle with suicidal thoughts decide to suffer through them alone. They don’t confide in anyone. On the outside they seem just fine and show no signs of the danger they are facing. They hide it so well that people around them never suspect that anything is wrong. Not even close family members that they interact with on a daily basis are aware of the darkness their loved is suffering through.
When the individual has no true coping process for life in place to deal with difficulties the anxiety begins to mount to the degree that depression and hopelessness begins to set in, they feel abandoned because no one is aware of what they are going through. They are so stressed and soon find no joy in anything.
What are we to do if we or someone we know is struggling with this? How do we properly and permanently handle these destructive thoughts? It can happen to anyone.
The first thing that you must know is that God cares deeply for you, and for them. No one is beyond his love. People may fail but God never does. He is steadfast and doesn’t know how to fail. People may be unreachable, but God is always reachable, day or night. People may not understand your circumstances, but God is already aware of all the details and has the answers and solutions already prepared for you if you but call upon him. Trust him, he will work it out in ways you least expect them! Psalms 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” He also promises in Deuteronomy 31:8, “He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Rather than dwell on negative thoughts that are poison and can destroy you, run to the Lord and dive deep into his Word that will speak very specifically to your needs and answer all your questions. Don’t be afraid to put forth your questions to God and then search for his answers in his Word.
God loved you so much that he sent his only Son to die for you (John 3:16). That is no light matter. Never believe the lie that you are alone. With God you are never alone. Get to know him deeper and deeper through his Word so you can remind yourself constantly of what he has already said to you and what he promises.
God is faithful, you can totally trust him to do what he says he will do.