Moved by current spate of suicides across the length and breadth of the country, I have chosen to speak to you today. I am convinced that you will spare me a little time of yours.
Suicide is the voluntary doing away of one’s life motivated by so many factors and not limited to depression, unmet expectations, rejection and disappointment especially arising from relationship and “remote control”. One major feature of suicide is that it is self inflicted.
Suicide is a sin and condemned by God, no one has the right to take another person’s life, not to talk of taking one’s life. Exod 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
Know it today that if the word of God dwells in you richly, you will never contemplate suicide. Let me quickly outline five basic principle that will help you fight the urge and drift for suicide.
Firstly, never expect too much from man, but put your trust in God. The Bible clearly states that the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful. Jer 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Most who kill themselves mistakenly put their whole trust on man and once the true character or picture plays out, their disappointment triggers the urge for suicide and if not checked, it is executed.
Secondly, always know that what is not yours cannot be yours. So if you are in any relationship, keep it at the back of your mind that it may not end well. Some psychologist have advocated for a 35% failure rate buffer. Remind yourself that this excellent relationship can fail any moment, even though it is not your desire. Keep it in mind that, if God says yes, no man can say no. and if the same God says no, not even you can say yes.
Thirdly, see failure and poverty as temporal setback all with expiry dates. This too shall pass away. Invoke the theory of “no condition is permanent”. David was formerly a shepherd boy; he ended up as a king. Bill Gates was a dropout from School, today he is amongst the richest in the world. Peter that denied Jesus three times was the one that preached to establish the church on the day of Pentecost. His fellow Apostles Judas, that could not manage his situation, took away his life.
Fourthly, learn how to manage shame. The shame of pregnancy, out of wedlock, the shame of belonging to the class of “never do well”, the shame of rejection even after you had bragged about your relationship especially on social media, the shame of falling from grace to grass and recalling the former days, the list is long. Apostle Paul managed his shame well. He went to the house of Ananias in Damascus to be led to baptism, even when it was obvious Ananias was amongst his numerous target to destroy in Damascus if he was not arrested by Christ. Paul was rejected by the Apostles in Jerusalem if not for the strong backing he got from Barnabas. But that did not deter him.
Lastly, speak to God about your situation and pray for open doors. God can turn things around for anyone. Joseph is a typical example. Sold to slavery, false accused and sent to prison and with no hope. But God changed his story. I read on social media that if man can make a good soup from bitter leaf, then there is no situation God cannot change for Good.
Dear young people, it is not all over until it is over. Killing yourself is not the solution to your depression. God expects you to give him thanks in everything that happens to you. 1Thess 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
A critical look at the situation that you are in will reveal that it was self inflicted. So why not wake up and learn from the mistake and move on. The future is pregnant and the possibilities of turning things for good is higher that remaining the same. The Bible declares Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Suicide is not the solution. Share your problem with those who can help you out. There are still good people out there.
Credit: Calabar Reporters
