Conquering thoughts of suicide and depression

By: Tenita C. Johnson

     In this season, it would seem to some that our world is in total chaos. We’ve been at war for longer than we want to remember. Gas prices are eating away at the paychecks we work so diligently to earn. Nowadays, a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas cost about the same price. The real estate industry is in record high foreclosure rates and finding decent employment has become a dream deferred. And those that are employed are forced to retire or laid off for unlimited amounts of time. With all of this, it would seem that God is nowhere to be found. It would seem as if the enemy is having his way. Now would seem like a good time to be depressed and distressed. If Satan can get you to lose hope in God, if he can get you to lose your faith in God, then he has accomplished his mission.

     The bible warns us that the enemy comes for nothing but to steal, kill and destroy. So it is no surprise when he comes in like a flood. He will have you thinking that your life is so bad that you should just kill yourself and take yourself out of misery. For some, suicide is something they hear about on the evening news. But for many, if you would be honest, the spirit of suicide is very real. We hear about it every day. Someone lost their job and killed former co-workers before turning the gun on themselves. Someone else overdosed on prescription pills. Children are killing their parents and then taking their own lives so they don’t have to face the consequences. It would seem like this is the easiest way out. But the devil is a liar.

     It is an ongoing battle in the mind. If the enemy can get you to concentrate on your circumstances and not on God, you’re already headed down the wrong road. The bible tells us to keep our minds stayed on Jesus; not the job we lost, or the car we just had repossessed, or the home that just went into foreclosure. I remember a childhood teacher always saying “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. I didn’t know what she meant then, but I sure do now. When your mind begins to wander, you give the enemy room to reign in your mind. Romans 12:2 tells us: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… We must change the way we think and the things we think about. Christians don’t have nervous break downs! People of God don’t lose their minds when they lose a job! For we know that if God allows something to be taken away from us, it’s because He’s got something greater than that down the road. He will never take something from us and give us less than what we lost. Suicide is not of God and will indefinitely cut us off from the promises of God. If God wanted you dead, you would already be sleeping in your grave. He still has some glory to get out of your life. Don’t let the enemy take you out before God fulfills His promises in your life.

     The bible also warns us to watch the company we keep. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us: Evil company corrupts good habits. This means that if you have so-called friends or even family members who are not speaking positively into your life, constantly telling you that you’ll never amount to anything, that you’re a failure, it’s time to cut them off. Let today be the last day that they plant that bad seed into your spirit. Thank God our destiny is not dependent on who likes us and who doesn’t. So if you lose some friends or family members, as long as you’ve got God on your side, they won’t be able to stop the show!

     I speak to anyone battling the spirit of suicide or depression that God is able. He has not forsaken you nor has He taken a short break or intermission. He is right there walking with you through the trials and tribulations. Without a test, there is no testimony. Without trials and tribulations, you wouldn’t know God is able to bring you out of them. You think it’s a personal attack on you; but it’s not about you. It’s about God getting the glory out of your situation. So I urge you to keep your mind stayed on Jesus and the things of God. Pray without ceasing. When you can’t pray, find someone who can pray for you. When you can’t get that friend on the phone, listen to a worship cd or sermon. Find a way to stay encouraged. Don’t let the enemy take you out before your time. God has great things in store for your future!

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