Someone I know recently ended his life. My friend Michael came to the place where he was without hope of anything ever changing and death appeared to be his only means of escape. This is utter hopelessness. My son was in the same place a little more than a year ago. He describes it as being in a black hole and seeing no way out. By God's grace he was not successful.
The world calls what both these men suffered "depression." They call it a form of mental illness that can be “treated” with pills or therapy. Michael took anti-depressants for many years, my son did not.
According to his wife, Michael didn't have a true biological illness that was diagnosed by subjective methods, and neither did my son. She said he disliked his job and like my son, he blamed God for allowing certain circumstances into his life. He didn't see a way out, he didn't see a way of escape.
Here is truth: for a Christian there is always a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13), and it is not suicide. Most Christians who consider suicide believe that their problems are too big for God (Matt. 10:29, 30). The suicidal person has lost sight of the fact that God is Sovereign! The suicidal person has ceased to look to the source of true hope, Jesus Christ. The only source for finding hope in this life is always the Word of God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; He is the way through!
That wonderful song says it all, “In Christ alone my hope is found!” He is the place we are to look and His Word is we will find the sure and certain promises of God. That is where we should look when life seems hopeless, and we feel discouraged and suicidal for lack of hope.
God’s Word is full of hope! Some I have cited references for, and others I have inserted the text. I pray these verses will encourage you today!
Psalm 62:5–8: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Micah 7:7: But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Ephesians 1:18: I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he [God] has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
1 Timothy 6:17: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
God’s promises are sure and His power is matchless. He is wisdom and His love for His own is unlimited. God promises that He is sufficient and His Word is sufficient to meet every problem of life.
Build your hope on God alone! I know the temptation is strong to run to the solutions that the world offers! While drugs (prescription and otherwise), alcohol, and indulging in worldly pursuits bring some temporary relief they are not the approaches that will bring long term change and relief. None of those are remedies that will solve anything, in most cases they make matters worse as the medications and their side effects multiply.
Only a changed heart that is focused on living life to glorify God (even in the midst of sorrow and loss) can experience real hope and joy.
I want to encourage you today with the truth that God is trustworthy! He is aware of you and your life and He means to bring good out of your trials. God is without sin and cannot lie to you, He is worthy of your trust.
If you are living defeated and discouraged today, beaten down emotionally by the circumstances of life I want to encourage you to go to the place of help, healing and hope. Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”