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Suicide prevention through hope in Christ
PointMan ^ | 04/04/2011 | Todd Fitchette

Posted on 4/4/2011, 2:40:24 PM by WriteStuff

I wonder how many of our friends who’ve come to that dark crossroads in their lives and decided upon the path to death would not have chosen it had we been more purposeful or available to them.

I’ve learned of or known several people over the past couple years who have made the decision to prematurely end their lives, based apparently upon utter hopelessness. I learned of one this morning — a teenage girl who last week reached the end of hope and saw nothing good on the other side.

Having been at the edge of this hope myself, only to back away because my hope in Jesus Christ thankfully was stronger than the desire to make the pain stop, I can empathize with others who’ve been there or may be there right now.

(Excerpt) Read more at toddfitchette.wordpress.com ...


TOPICS: Activism; General Discusssion; Moral Issues; Theology
KEYWORDS: depression; encouragement; hope; suicide

1 posted on 4/4/2011, 2:40:27 PM by WriteStuff
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To: WriteStuff

I see nothing in this article to sway a person away from suicidal thoughts.And just saying Faith in God is the answer? What a crock.


2 posted on 4/4/2011, 3:38:53 PM by Craftmore
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To: Craftmore
And just saying Faith in God is the answer? What a crock.

Well,no--it's the having faith in God. Saying "faith in God" is just a recommendation of a procedure. Having the faith is what does the trick.

3 posted on 4/4/2011, 6:58:12 PM by Dunstan McShane
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To: Craftmore

From the article:

“It means we need to be in tune with those around us and intentionally be curious; this means being friendly.

It might even mean letting our own guard down just a bit and lowering the wall surrounding us enough to become (WARNING: BAD WORD HERE…) vulnerable.

I’m NOT making light of suicide or those with severe depression who need professional help. What I am saying is maybe, just maybe, some of the folks who need a friend and a bit of help to see the hope Christ offers us can be drawn away from the edge of Hell and given a renewed chance to live as Christ calls us to live.”

**************************

The article doesn’t seem to be written for someone that is suicidle - but for everyone else. And that said, even having faith in Jesus perhaps can’t stop some folks if the pain is stronger than the faith. And part of having a strong faith is having a group of strong supporters in your corner. And that is where the supporters need to be looking and willing to reach out. Even if that supporter happens to be a stranger.


4 posted on 4/4/2011, 7:11:44 PM by 21twelve ( You can go from boom to bust, from dreams to a bowl of dust ... another lost generation.)
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To: 21twelve

And if you only have more faith,you wouldnt be sick,you wouldnt be poor,you wouldnt have any problems at all if only you had more faith.but since your sick,poor,depressed,and facing as many problems as Job obviuosly your faith is lacking,,what a crock of saurkraut


5 posted on 4/4/2011, 11:24:58 PM by Craftmore
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To: Craftmore

I know there are some Christians that probably believe that (you’re sick, poor, etc. because you don’t have enough faith, etc.) I sure don’t, and that isn’t what the Bible teaches. BUT - in SPITE of all the crap that I have to deal with, go through, pain, etc. - God is STILL there. And even when He doesn’t seem like He is there, that is when my faith really has to be strong.

And sometimes how He is there is by the folks he sends my way to give me encouragement, etc. Like the entire point of the article was.

And I have to agree with the writer about the faith being greater than the pain. He didn’t say his pain went away, but he was able to overcome his thoughts of suicide by believing that God was greater than the pain. BUT - it sounded as if it was a close one. I know it sometimes has been for me.


6 posted on 4/5/2011, 12:12:00 AM by 21twelve ( You can go from boom to bust, from dreams to a bowl of dust ... another lost generation.)
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To: WriteStuff

So what if a person can’t believe?

Perhaps some of us are too worthless to be given faith and were destined to hell from the beginning. Why not commit suicide anyway? It can’t get any worse and it certainly can’t get better. They are already in hell!


7 posted on 4/5/2011, 10:27:34 PM by Soothesayer (smallpox is not a person)
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