Biblical Encouragement For Those Struggling With Suicide And Depression
The Word of God has promises of hope and healing for those who are struggling with suicidal tendencies. It reminds us of the source of the things which are creating depression within us, which is evil. The believer can read daily reminders of Gods call to strive in faith, and hope in Him.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
This verse reminds the believer that depression, despair, and self-loathing is as much of a consequence of sin entering the world as any other evil. When it begins to take over the heart, it is important to remember that is the result of living in a fallen world. The thief – the devil – seeks to steal joy, kill hope, and destroy the believer. In Christ, we have the hope of a better future, that He will care for the faithful in this life, and eternal joy forever in Heaven.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Psalm 34:17-18 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Bible Verses On Helping Loved Ones With Special Needs
There are many Bible verses on loving our brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of special needs. When we look at each other as a creation of the Lord, we can love rightly. Let us love well those who have unique challenges in life and appreciate the beauty they bring with their own perspective and personality.
Uphold The Cause Of The Poor
“Defend the weak and the fatherless uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
God is not naive. He knows that there’s a tendency for the strong to exploit the weak. He demands that His people rule in a way that protects the vulnerable.
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The Wickedness Of Selfishness
Scripture doesnt merely teach the praiseworthiness of helpfulness but also condemns its opposite, selfishness. This is the other side of It is more blessed to give than to receive. It is a cursed thing to act selfishly at anothers expense. God graciously warns us against walking down this path, which consumes those who take it.
Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Proverbs 21:13: Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Ephesians 4:28: Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
2 Thessalonians 3:10: For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
1 Timothy 5:8: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Seek The Lord Continually
Throughout the Bible God urges us to seek Him, to do His will and not our will. For example, in 2 Chronicles 12:14 we are told that King Rehoboam did evil because He did not seek the Lord. He just did what he wanted.
He did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14
2 Chronicles 12:14 was a negative example. Psalm 105:4 is a positive example. Here we are told to continually seek Him.
Seek the LORD and His strength Seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4
If we are continually seeking Him, then we will be continually seeking His direction also. Proverbs 3:6 is another passage that is more specific since it speaks of a close relationship with God. It says,
In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
The Hebrew word for acknowledge is derek. It has the idea of knowing. If we know Him deeply and seek Him, then He will guide us. He will not help those who do not know Him or seek Him. We are told to acknowledge Him in every path we take.
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Loving Your Spouse Through The Seasons Of Marriage
Debra Fileta has identified the four seasons of marriage that correspond with our natural seasons spring , summer , fall , and winter . In this interview, she will help couples better understand the four seasons of healthy relationships, what to expect during each one, and how to carefully navigate them for a stronger marriage.
Whatever You’ve Done To The Least Of These
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
In a powerful parable about God’s judgment, people are separated based on the service they’ve provided to the most vulnerable including the hungry, sick, and imprisoned.
To everyone’s complete surprise, Jesus so identifies with these vulnerable ones that He communicates that by serving them, we actually serve Him. Those that withheld care for the lowly are judged for withholding it from Jesus.
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Does The Bible Say That Elderly Parents Must Be Cared For At Home
The Bible contains no specific direction on whether adult children must care for parents at home. Some families choose to keep their aged parents at home for as long as possible. At some point, though, they may feel that nursing-home care is a better option. The family might meet together to decide what is best for everyone involved.Galatians 6:4, 5.
^ par. 6 Regarding this account, one Bible commentary says: It is probable that Joseph was long since dead, and that her son Jesus had supported her, and now that he was dying what would become of her? . . . Christ has here taught children to provide for the comfort of their aged parents.The NIV Matthew Henry Commentary in One Volume, pages 428-429.
Bible Verses About Help
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee yea, I will help thee yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Exodus 14:14 – The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.Hebrews 10:35 – Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. John 14:14 – If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.Psalms 121:1-8 – I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalms 118:7 – The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.Psalms 54:4 – Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.Psalms 37:5 – Commit thy way unto the LORD trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass.2 Chronicles 14:11 – And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God let not man prevail against thee.1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.Psalms 34:17 – The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
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Responding To The Needs Of Others
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Jesus told us that “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” . We should never be so caught up in our belongings that we’re not willing to share them with those in need.
God could distribute the wealth of the world evenly, but He doesn’t do that. He gives us all the opportunity to give and receive love. That means He blesses some so that they can experience the joy of generosity. But if we become greedy and covetous, then the blessings weve received become a curse. The goods we withhold from those in need testify against us.
How Does The Bible Shed Light
There are many reasons why people might commit suicide, and some are not addressed directly in Scripture. For example, a chemical imbalance, causing severe depression, or mental illness may drive people to commit suicide.
The Enemy Seeks to Destroy
The Bible teaches that Satan, the father of lies, was a murderer from the beginning . He comes to steal, kill, and destroy . He plants destructive thoughts in peopleeven Christiansand they may choose to act on Satans lies and kill themselves.
Jesus Christ Gives Life
God, on the other hand, emphasizes the sanctity of life. Jesus came to give us abundant life and freedom . The Lord doesnt want us to live in fear, but to discover strength and help in Him . We can cast our cares on the Lord and know He will not condemn us .
All Are Made in Gods Image
In the Old Testament, we discover we are made in the image of God and we are therefore not allowed to murder anyone, including ourselves . The command to not murder is part of the Ten Commandments God provided to help us live faithful lives before Him and others .
Suicide opposes the natural tendency of humans to preserve their own lives. It is contrary to self-care, cuts off the potential for loving relationships with family and friends, and is contrary to loving and honoring the Creator. God wants his children to choose life, not death . It is our sovereign Gods right to give and take away life . Humans are required to be faithful stewards of the life He gives.
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Do Not Discriminate Against The Poor
“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
What gives a person value? We really shouldn’t need any other criteria beyond the fact that they were created in God’s image and worth going to the cross to redeem. Unfortunately, we get caught up in the things the world values.
In the kingdom of God, a person of means shouldn’t be more worthy of respect or regard than someone who is poor. James tells us that when we discriminate based on worldly values like wealth, we demonstrate evil thoughts.
Giving Up Sugar Tasting God’s Goodness
As a latchkey kid, Wendy Speake turned to sugar for comfort. Every Friday, she would pedal to the candy show and use her allowance to fill her bag with candy. And one day, when she was older and a mom of three young boys, she came to realize that she was still pedaling away from her stress and using sugar as comfort, instead of turning to Jesus. She was joyless, worn out, tired, and in need of a change. In this interview, Wendy will challenge Christians to take 40 days to focus on fasting from something they turn to instead of Jesus for comfort. She invited people to break free from a dependence on sugar and taste the goodness of God.
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Mothers And Sons: Being A Godly Influence
Rhonda Stoppe describes her early motherhood challenges of raising a son, which was intimidating to her. She found help through group of older women mentors. She urges moms to see their role as ministry in shaping sons to be good and godly men. Rhonda outlines several practical suggestions to moms about spiritual training, how to communicate with boys, and supporting the father-son relationship as a wife.
God’s Perspective On Suicide
The following is a true story about a Christian man who committed suicide. The experience lends an interesting perspective on the issue of Christians and suicide.
The man who had killed himself was the son of a church staff member. In the short time he had been a believer, he touched many lives for Jesus Christ. His funeral was one of the most moving memorials ever conducted.
With more than 500 mourners gathered, for nearly two hours, person after person testified how this man had been used by God. He had pointed countless lives to faith in Christ and shown them the way to the Father’s love. Mourners left the service convinced that what had driven the man to commit suicide had been his inability to shake his addiction to drugs and the failure he felt as a husband, father, and son.
Although his was a sad and tragic ending, nevertheless, his life testified undeniably of Christ’s redemptive power in an amazing way. It is very difficult to believe that this man went to hell.
The fact is, no one can truly understand the depth of someone else’s suffering or the reasons that could drive a soul to such desperation. Only God knows what is in a person’s heart . Only the Lord knows the extent of pain which might bring a person to the point of suicide.
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Obligation To Those In Need
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.
Through service, we give others the things they lack, and we find meaning and fulfillment to our own lives. Both the Old and New Testament writings give many examples of the importance of service and charity:
He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
“Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
And the crowds asked , “What then should we do?”In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none and whoever has food must do likewise.”
But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
Giving To Family Is Good
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
As Christians, we are encouraged to give generously. There are so many benefits of giving freely of our abundance. And yes, this can include giving to family members.
Put yourself in the position of a young adult, fresh out of college. Their student loan payments may be coming up soon, and theyre wondering how theyre going to make their finances work with an entry-level job.
Wouldnt filling up their fridge and pantry for them in their new apartment be such a blessing for them? Or maybe you could buy them a new piece of furniture for their apartment.
If youre in a better financial position than they are, the money spent could be a wonderful way to give of your abundance.
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Kindness To The Poor Is Like Lending To God
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Imagine putting God in your debt. That’s exactly what happens when you show kindness to the poor. The Lord could simply demand that we take care of the poor, but He doesn’t. He’s keeping track, and He promises to repay His children for every act of kindness.
Identifying Triggers In Your Marriage
They were both convinced they had married the wrong person. From almost the very beginning of their marriage, Amber and Guy Lia experienced various tensions and personality clashes related to house cleaning, backseat driving, workaholism, and intimacy. In this two-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Amber and Guy discuss how they bravely faced the triggers head-on, and committed to working on their own relationships with Jesus. As you listen to the Lias story, youll feel hope that you, too, can see real marriage transformation!
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