I’m not a stranger to suicide, in that my grandfather, two of my uncles, and my only sibling, my brother Jim all took their own lives. At several points in my life I lived those tendencies as well, and know first-hand how it feels to be so despondent, sad, unhappy, despairing, disillusioned, and hopeless that in my tortured demented mind, suicide seemed to be the only option left.
Suicide almost always leaves surviving family and friends with feelings of guilt; Gosh I wish I would have done more – I should have been there – I just wish I would have had the right words – If only I was better prepared to deal with this mindset – If I would have just notified the authorities that my loved one was having suicidal thoughts…
I had breakfast yesterday with a friend whose son committed suicide nearly 6 months ago. I had witnessed to this smart, good-looking 22-year-old just hours before he ended his life. It has weighed heavily on my mind ever since that I could not find the right words to relieve his tortured mind. He was fighting a heroin addiction and was on parole, and was really disillusioned with life in general with a very dark outlook.
I poured my heart out to him for over 2 hours and recounted my personal struggles with addiction and subsequent victory over them and other serious problems that I had going on in my life when I was his age. I shared how the love and strength of Jesus Christ transformed me into a new person with hope, joy, peace, and love. I prayed for him. But it was all to no avail as he shot himself just a few hours later.
I mentioned to my friend how most people feel guilty after something like this and I asked him if he experienced it. To my surprise, he simply said no. I hung my head and muttered that I felt guilty that my counseling and prayer with the young man had not deterred him. Suddenly his father turned to me and sharply told me that nothing could be further from the truth. He went on to say that his son had been counseled by many different people including him. He said that sadly his boy had reached a point whereby he simply had to be held accountable for his own decisions.
He went on to say that his son was raised in a godly Christian home and was wonderfully saved by Jesus and followed Him in Baptism at the age of 11 and demonstrated several years of love for Christ. Later he fell in with some friends who led dark lives and he fell to the sway of satanic oppression. Of the four boys with whom he had begun hanging out, today three have all committed suicide and the lone remaining survivor is experiencing those tendencies right now.
Despite his son’s backsliding and sin he believes that he is in heaven right now and he believes that it is impossible to lose one’s salvation. I believe the same thing about my brother. I was with him when my pastor and I led him to confess his sins, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge that Jesus died for his sins, and 3 days later arose. Similarly, my brother followed Jesus for some length of time until Satan sucked him back into a destructive lifestyle.
My friend told me that he was praying for his son at the very moment he heard the shot from his son’s room. He ran in and was trying to stop the bleeding and he kept telling him, “Run to Jesus – Run to Jesus.” He believes with all his heart that Jesus welcomed him home.
I told my friend that I envision Christians as being akin to those brave soldiers who were portrayed in Blackhawk Down. When they entered by helicopter into Somalia, the enemy was waiting for them. They fought valiantly but unfortunately some fell victim to their ambush.
To avoid hearing Christian Down, we must remain on high alert for Satan is always waiting for us. He wants to ambush whomever he might. He is looking for any kind of opening and if he finds one will enter with an ambition to destroy. He is a murderer and a liar and has been so since the dawn of time. Open doors pave the way to destruction whether it is alcohol, drugs, lust, money, greed, jealousies, covetous desires, or the need for power. Shut those doors and guard them.
Know your children’s friends and YOUR friends and make sure they do not lead you astray. Put on the full armor of God daily and fight Satan with reckless abandon. Resist him in the mighty name of Jesus and he will run away like a little scared rabbit.
1 Peter 5:8
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone
April 4 2017 – Click here to listen