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Suicide. The word has a frightening air of finality. Laden with hopelessness, despair, and tragedy, it is a word that everyone wants to keep at arms’ length. “Only people who are really mixed up consider suicide,” you’ve told yourself.
But then one day that word entered your thoughts in a different way. You found yourself in an unbearable situation. You felt trapped and powerless. Ultimately, “ending it all” seemed to be the only answer. It isn’t.
There is another solution. It’s found in the Bible, God’s messageof love to you. This is your chance to discover just how valuable you are and how your life can be transformed. Read on.
Where Are You Now?
Probably you’ve asked yourself, “How did I get to this point?” The answer is … gradually. Everyone goes through periods in their lives when they feel down. Usually, in time, the sadness leaves and life goes on. But sometimes a difficult situation, a strained relationship or some other problem leads to unhappiness that won’t go away.
When that happens, life can become a daily struggle with uneasiness, gloom, and emptiness. Ultimately, depression and hopelessness can take hold, creating a feeling of dissatisfaction with life in general.
Depression has many causes. Often it is associated with a sense of loss that can be caused by a number of things — illness, the death of a loved one, sudden unemployment, divorce, and so on. A chronic illness, or permanent disability, can rob you of your independence, making you feel worthless, helpless, and angry. Losing someone you care about, through death or divorce, can leave a tremendous void in your life.
Guilt is another trigger for depression. Perhaps you’re struggling with drug or alcohol abuse — or some other habit, or behavior,that you are ashamed of. A childhood trauma may have left you feeling damaged and unworthy of happiness. Maybe you just feel like a failure because you haven’t achieved all that you wanted in life.
Whatever the cause, depression often leads to a sense of hopelessness. You may feel as though your life is out of control. You may think that ending your life is the only way to take control. It’s not.
Where Can You Go From Here?
You can keep going the way you have been, knowing where that may lead. Or you can give yourself a real chance for a better life. The fact that you’re reading this shows that you want another option. So, here it is.
There is only one real source of hope for a life that possesses meaning, fulfillment, and joy. That source is Jesus Christ. Speaking about His followers, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can experience overflowing love, forgiveness, peace, and joy in your life. That is a promise from God found in the Bible.
Does God promise that you’ll never have another problem? No. But He does pledge to give you the power to face life’s trials with confidence, knowing that He will cause all things to work for your good. He promises either to deliver you from afflictions,or give you the strength to endure them, according to His plan for you … a plan that begins with giving your life to Him.
By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and choosing to follow Him you place Jesus on the throne of your life. Spiritually, you become a new person because God’s Holy Spirit comes to live within you. Jesus described this experience as being “born again.” And, best of all, with your new life in Christ comes the right to spend eternity in God’s presence. Why not get a Bible right now and read these wonderful promises for yourself?
Look up these Scripture verses: John 1:12; II Corinthians 5:17;I Corinthians 2:12; I John 5:11-13.
If you have never made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you can do that right now and take the first step toward a new life. Simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart:
Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my life. I want to turn from living my life under my own control. Come now and live your life in me. Cleanse me from my sins. I receive you as my Lord and my Savior. I will live for you and serve you all the days of my life. Amen.
Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). If you just prayed and asked Him to come into your life, He did. And He promises to share intimate friendship with you.
Now you need to do a few things.
First, begin reading the Bible on a daily basis. Start with the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Find an easy to read, modern translation like the New International Version, the New American Standard or The Book (The New Living Translation).
Next, try to spend time in prayer every day. Just talk to God like you would a good friend.