PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP

(Note: Suicide is a very touchy subject with many opinions that are founded in speculation. I ask that you take the time to reflect not only on your life but also on the lives of your friends and family before jumping to conclusions. I invite everyone to comment but in the event a comment is offensive it will be removed.)

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP

As a survivor I have found this a most difficult subject to write about but a very necessary one as we are approaching the end times according to the Biblical time lines. Not only in Christianity but also in every major religion in the world, the world as we know it is coming to a close and despair is running ramped. This is the beginning of sorrows as according to Jesus that told His disciples what the signs of the end times would be:

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:8 KJV)

Sorrows, what are they? Being sorrowful for ones actions are one thing, but in these end times as we get closer to the close of this age with the great tribulation looming, the spirit of sorrow is sinking its claws into all that will give heed unto it. Once sorrow takes hold of ones mind and of ones heart, for no reason known to man, a person can be stricken with hopelessness. In that state of mind, a person will not strive to live, they will not seek out the hope in GOD, they will not care for those around them, their emotions will cause them to cry for no reason and for that same lack of reason they, will sometimes seek death. This sadness can take hold of some for what would seem to be absolutely no reason, one of several examples of this can be found in the Old Testament:

“And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now, I had not been before time sad in his presence. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” (Nehemiah 2:1-2 KJV)

The sorrow of the heart, complete emptiness is what most will say they feel. This is not just to the worldly but also to Christian alike. From time to time GOD will cause us to have sorrow of the heart not to break us but to try our resolve. In that GOD is allowing you to be tested, these tests are to bring out weakness and even strength, will you call upon the Lord in your time distress, your time of hopelessness. There is another that is just as powerful that once the sorrow of the heart has taken hold, then the sorrow of the mind as the Word of GOD speaks of will cause a person to actually seek death. The sorrow of the mind causes a person to believe there is no hope, even though that is a lie straight out of the pits of hell that person is made to believe that lie as the truth: 

“And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life.” (Deuteronomy 28:65-66)

Joy and laughter flee even though that is exactly what a person needs at this very moment. Fear of someone watching, when there is no one there takes hold. For absolutely no physical reason can a person fall into depression that if allowed to go unchecked will become a chronic way of life.

In recent months, here in the United States, we have heard stories of seemingly happy people whether those who was up in age or those in the prime of their lives committing suicide. We have the news stories of the famous and the no so famous, the wealthy and even the poor, old and young alike getting to the point of believing that no one loves them no matter how much loved ones have tried to show their love. What is alarming to most is that a person can seem absolutely content around friends and family laughing and celebrating a joyous occasion one moment and then like a light switch being turned off, that same person falls into what most describe as being a deep, dark, miry pit of depression for seemingly no reason. Job of the Old Testament says it like this:

“Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.” (Job 30:15-23)

We see in the Book of Job, that GOD thought of Job as being, perfect without blame:

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and                  that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared GOD, and            eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1)

But how is this man that GOD says is perfect (blameless) and upright, how is he experiencing terrors that cause him to become depressed? Job is a man that feared GOD, never once in the Scripture do you find Job denying the importance of GOD in his life even though all that had transpired left him without anything to call his own. Here is the account of what brought Job to this point:

“Now there was a day when the sons of GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth GOD, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear GOD for nothing? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1: 6-12)

In the same exact way that GOD allowed Satan to test Job and his resolve, GOD allows each one of us to be tested and tried also. In the Word of GOD, we are given the reassurance that GOD will not give us more that we can handle when He does allow Satan to test us. The Word of GOD is used:

“…. to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6)

Jesus gives us hope where no hope is perceived:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

One of the most important things to remember when a person is contemplating taking their own life is that the person is being bombarded by thoughts of oppression. These thoughts are designed of Satan, designed to immobilize a person into believing there is no hope that their situation is never going to change. The only way for their situation to change is for someone to care enough to sit and listen to them, giving them a shoulder to cry on if needed, and that ever important hug.

Sometimes there are no words that you can say that will make that person that is being oppressed feel better. But in every case, you have to be willing to sacrifice your time for that person. Believe it or not, praying does make a difference, always ask if it would be okay to pray for them, this will show them that you actually do care and in most cases if will open the door for you to introduce them to Jesus.  Not only give them a chance to hear your testimony but also take all the time necessary to read the Word of GOD to them, it will make a difference. If for whatever reason they are not receptive to prayer, start reading Scripture from the Bible. Start by reading the Word to yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into reading the Word out loud. Jesus said:

And he said unto them, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of GOD: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.“ (Mark 4:11-12)

This is the hope you are striving to reach when reaching one that is contemplating suicide. Even if you do not know for sure this is what they are thinking at that moment, by reaching out and sharing the Word of GOD with them, this will show them that, yes, someone does care. Unless your head is about to fall of your shoulders, do not leave that person in their time of crisis. 

Oppression is the beginnings of depression. There are many things in life that can bring on oppression, but the number one cause is our spiritual enemy:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Being sober minded and being vigilant will help those that are being oppressed. Praying for your family member, your friend, your brother or sister in the Lord helps. When lifting them up to the Lord in prayer gives notice to the heavenly host that we are preparing for battle and we are needing their assistance. GOD always directs the path of those that seek Him diligently, unlike a puppeteer, there are no strings attached that force you down a path where you are made to care for others. 

There is so much more I could write on this subject, I could even dedicate several websites to try an reach out to those that are crying out for someone to just love them. At that moment when that decision is made, there is no website in the world that will change a persons mind, why? It is because they are so distraught they are not looking on the internet or even on their phones, they are making the last preparations to end it all. There is no more time and there is no more to say at that moment. But, there is HOPE. There are those out here in this world that are true prayer warriors, that will stand up and fight every demon in hell while staring Satan straight in the eyes for that one soul. 

Some in the world and even some Christians alike have told me that I am out of my mind to think that standing nose to nose with Satan and all his demonic cohorts would make a difference in reaching those that are lost and those that have just lost their way on the verge of committing suicide. To those that would scoff at me for standing up for what is GOD’s against Satan and his demonic cohorts as a prayer warrior that keeps the full armor of GOD on at all times, I rebuke each and everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ. You ask, “Why would you do this to us?” It is because, every soul matters and I do not want to see my King have to wipe the tears off His cheeks asking, “Where are my warriors?” 

During the ministry of Jesus Christ, He had sent out His disciples onto a world that did not care for one another, to bring them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the first twelve returned, Jesus then appointed another seventy to do the same thing, to reach out to the lost and give them hope. With divine understanding, Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them so that they would be able to withstand the whiles of the devil, to be able to cast out demons and set the captives free. In that day, the oppression was great, because the kingdom of GOD was at hand, GOD physically walked among His creation, spending precious moments with those that were created in His image. There were so many souls crying out to GOD that Jesus knew that the first twelve would not be enough to reach all that were facing hopelessness. So, Jesus sent the seventy that He just appointed:

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. Therefore said He unto them, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.” (Luke 1:1-4)

Like unto everything that GOD does, that is not the end of the account. Jesus sent the seventy out but also waited for their return. Upon their return, Jesus witnessed in each of their countenance’s transformed men of GOD, their faith emanating as bright as the sun, not only was hope restored in those that they were sent onto, but also in those that were sent:

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.“ (Luke 10:17-20)

Unto all that are oppressed spiritually, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP and do not give into the demands of those thoughts of destruction, because there is HOPE. Jesus Christ Himself died on a cross, in which was the most shameful way to die, but He did it for you, with you in mind. He kept His promise though, that He would rise again in three days. But this is not just a story that ends there, to be quite honest, the world will try to make you believe that it is only a story, a fable. a fairy tale, that no one every walks away from the grave, especially by their own power. But this is a true account that Satan and his devils do not want anyone to believe, especially you.

Before ending it all, before leaving this world, would you please take the next 30 seconds and challenge GOD by saying, “GOD, Jesus, if you are real, please send someone into my life that will introduce me to you. That will stand beside me in my time of need, someone that will not only pray for me and with me, but, be my friend.” I promise you that GOD will introduce Himself to you in such a way that those thoughts of suicide will be gone. I know, you do not believe there is a GOD and even if you did, why would He allow you to get to this point. I cannot answer that, but GOD can, if you will just give Him a chance. GOD is real and Jesus Christ is the full embodiment of GOD, Jesus came into this world to set the captives free, to set you free and give you life so abundant that you can not even contain it. 

Even though we may have never met in person and may not until the day in which Jesus Christ appears in the clouds to call up all those that believe upon His name, please remember, I love you and I am praying for you. I am standing up to those devils that oppress you, that causes you to believe lies fabricated to make you feel unlovable. As power has been given unto me, the same power that Jesus gave unto the seventy, I am standing here fighting for you, fighting for your soul. I hope that you will call out to GOD, because my GOD is the original Promise Keeper, He loves you and so do I!!!

If you do not feel like you want to listen to any of what was said in the above teaching, I, your friend am asking you to talk to someone, tell them how you feel right now. If you do not feel you have anyone you can talk to in your area, here are some places you can call and there will be someone there that is willing to listen. Everyone has something to say right up to the point that everything ends, please take a moment and say what you want, we are here to listen.

Seeking the face of GOD
His Always
Bishop JD Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries

I need to find a suicide hotline for myself or a friend.