Never an option

Friday after sending out a WFTD dealing with suicide I received the e-mail below:

Bob,
I can really relate to today’s WFTD. I have been going through some amazingly bad times lately and have had numerous encounters with God.

I recently got a pistol to commit suicide with, but I was unable to pull the trigger. I put it in the drawer until a few days later when I tried again. Again, I was unable to pull the trigger and I put the gun back in the drawer. A few days later I decided to let my truck run in the garage. After 10 or 15 minutes I felt euphoric, like I was on laughing gas. I was tingling and numb, and my thoughts were all over the place. I got scared and turned my truck off and went outside until I felt better.

A few days later, while eating dinner, God told me to get rid of the gun. I said okay and the next day I took it back to where I got it after work. That evening my wife finally admitted to her affair and went into detail about having sex with her boyfriend at a hotel while the kids were at school and I was at work. That night was it. I didn’t have the gun, so I had to sit in my truck in the garage again. There was nobody that could stop me. I said a prayer apologizing to God. I told him that he was the only one that could stop me tonight. I sat in my truck for 2 1/2 hours that night. The only thing that happened was that I got really hot. Somehow God gave my truck the cleanest emissions ever that night.

All my problems are still here. The world seems hopeless and unrelenting, but I don’t have a choice anymore. God wants me here, so one way or another I will get through it. I pray constantly, and I can tell you that God has taken a lot of my pain and sorrow away. Every waking minute is not filled with agony any more. The problems are still there, but the pain has subsided.

I just wanted to tell you that I look forward to your emails every day. I appreciate what you do.

Thanks.

I wrote him back:

“I’m sorry to hear that you have been having such serious problems. I do know that suicide is not the answer. My brother committed suicide and not only was it devastating to those of us who remain; it was a terrible waste of a wonderful person. He could have had a great life had he just turned to God in his time of despair and remained there. I know, because that is what happened to me. I was suicidal and in fact on more than one occasion have put a gun to my head, cocked it, and at the last minute just could not pull the trigger.

I’m glad I didn’t pull that trigger. Today my life is filled with happiness, joy, and peace. The Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God which is faith, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians. It is the only way to defeat satan. We are no match for him alone.

I urge you to find a church, (I don’t know you or where you live, but if you live in Atlanta I can recommend someone). Talk to a pastor about your problems and then become involved at church. There you will find Christian friends who will care about you, support you, and help you recover from the pain that you have.

I also think you should go to a doctor and ask them to treat you for your depression. You are at a dangerous point and whatever you do don’t drink alcohol or take drugs as it will enhance your depression and distort your thinking. The Bible warns us to be “sober and vigilant for our enemy satan stalks around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us”.

Most of all I want you to know that your situation is not hopeless. My life is a perfect example of one never being so far gone that they cannot come back. You can come back from your setbacks and not only survive, but thrive. (If you haven’t watched it click on the URL at the bottom of the page and listen to what I overcame through God’s help.)

I want you to know that when I wrote that WFTD yesterday I was in a hurry and just decided to search the database for an old one instead of writing one from scratch like I usually do. As I got ready to type in the search criteria, the word, “suicide” suddenly popped into my mind and that is what I typed in the search field. I truly believe God made that word pop into my mind yesterday in order to help YOU. He loves you more than you can imagine and this is no coincidence, just like it wasn’t a coincidence when the man in yesterday’s WFTD got the call from the pastor of Almighty God Tabernacle.

Unless you object I would like to use part of your letter in another WFTD to help encourage others. I will not reveal your name. Remember God is there for you 24/7. If you don’t have anyone else and need someone to talk to, please feel free to call me personally.

God bless you my brother I’m praying for you. These things will pass and in time God will take away your pain.”
Your friend,

Bob”

I ask you to join me this morning and pray for this man who is enduring such serious trials. Please ask God to make him see that suicide is never an answer and that it comes directly from satan. Ask God to surround him with a protective ring of fire.

We should all remember that God’s plan for us is for life, and not death. The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual death are the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those who receive it. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

John 10:10 states that life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else’s life. Remember that satan is a “murderer” and the “father of all lies.” The feelings of despair that lead to suicide are caused by satan. God created us for His purpose and He has a specific plan in mind for everyone. Turn to Him to fulfill your purpose and in turn receive hope and peace.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body