Hey guys. It's Pastor Krysteen. Ready to drop some knowledge on you.
** TRIGGER WARNING**
Yeah, no. Yes, I am a pastor. No, I refuse to start off this article this way. This topic is heavy, I know. And it is only going to get heavier. But by the end, I hope you gain a little bit of strength to carry on the weight, instead of wishing it was lighter.
We all know what suicide is. We've seen Hollywood's depiction of it. We've been struck by real life examples as well. And if you are someone contemplating that exact same fate, I don't blame you. Life does suck.
Everyone, including you, is living out a story. And man, yours is a depressing one. You begin to realize that your book has more sad and sullen chapters than gleeful ones. And you begin to realize that the book might not even be worth to finish. Depression can do that. It comes and goes, but you always know that there is another hard chapter coming ahead. So what do you do?
At this point, you feel hopeless. Not even some of your best memories can help you get up and brush yourself off. This is just as tough for Christians. Yes, we can feel depressed too. Depression can be caused biologically, mentally, socially. Illnesses may just be one of the only things that is not prejudice based on religion. Wow.
So what do you do? Where do you go? Are you already contemplating how you're going to end it all off? Have you thought about your note?
By now you are probably pissed off at me. Again, I don't blame you. However, I want to remind you of something- a piece of knowledge that has allowed many people to carry on with their story. God was the one who wrote your story. He wrote with the intent of you finishing it out strong. He wrote it knowing that you can defeat these demons. God is not a cynic, setting yourself up to fail. He is a coach, making you strong enough to race through the end of the book. Allow yourself to believe in Him. Allow yourself to just talk to Him. He wrote the story, so maybe He can give you a few pointers.
He is telling you this right now: Suicide is NOT the answer. You came way too far to just stop. That's what suicide does. It does not allow you to finish the story, but to stop randomly, on a random page, leaving a cliff hanger. And while you're covered in darkness and guilt for stopping, everyone who cared is trying to figure out why. With suicide, you are ending a temporary darkness with a permanent one. It is a harsh reality, but maybe this is your wake up call.
If you are one of countless people who is going back and forth, know that you can get through this life alive. And that I love you, stranger. And that God loves you too. I urge you to find professional help. I urge you to talk to someone who cares. And those who are reading this with someone in mind, I urge you to care as well. The Bible is full of promises, answers and prayers that will help you to smile and move on after you grieved. Within your story, look forward to the gleeful chapters in order to get through the sullen ones.
Depression won't just go away with only prayer. But, it will go away once you start to pray. Once you allow yourself to seek help. You will begin to realize that suicide will not help, and that only you can truly help yourself.
