What Is Real In Your Life… Hello Hump Day readers. You may not know that September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day which was organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in 2003. WHO co-sponsors for this day. The purpose is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. You probably are wondering why I would have a devotion on this, but I think you know why. It’s hard to talk about suicide however, if we don’t talk about it, it will continue its deadly trajectory in destroying people.

What does God say about suicide? There are so many that want to know but are afraid to know. And then there is the “scare tactics” that shuts down any kind of conversation which hurts those in need. Many people who struggle with suicidal thoughts feel like they are alone.

You would be surprised by how much the Bible talks about suicide. There are several helpful examples of those who took their life and many reminders of hope throughout Scripture. Even though these stories from the Bible are of people overwhelmed by fear, guilt, heartache, illness, pride, disillusionment, and hopelessness, nowhere in God’s Word does it indicate that suicide is an unforgivable sin. The Bible is very clear in that the only sin which cannot be forgiven is refusal/rejection of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 34:18-19 [NLT] says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”  Romans 8:1-2 [GWT] says “So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned. The standards of the Spirit, who gives life through Christ Jesus, have set you free from the standards of sin and death.”  Isaiah 41:10 [The Voice] says “So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.”

Throughout the Bible we find suicide so this is not something “new” in our times, it has been there from the beginning. The Scriptures above are just a few that remind us that God has our back all the time. When we are down, God picks us up. God wants to set us free from the standards of sin that infect all of us. We all have a part of this infection of sin which often overwhelms us and keeps us from true reality. So, I suggest we need to ask ourselves “what is real in my life?”

Abraham Lincoln once said “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Like all of us, Lincoln, too, struggled with reality, life, death and that question “what comes next?”

I have an idea that may help us all about what is real. Take stock of your ‘spiritual garden’ today. Pull out one attitude or habit that doesn’t reflect the Spirit of God and then ask God to replace it with something that does. It is a practice of spirituality that keeps you from the harm we can do to ourselves and others. As you do this you will feel the nudge from the Holy Spirit who is leading you with wisdom, guidance, and the joy of being a child of God.

Suicide hurts families and it hurts the heart of God. But remember that God is right by that person taking them through the valley of death and up to the heights of heaven where they are free and well again. That is God’s promise for all of us and God never breaks those promises. So cultivate your ‘spiritual garden’ and discover what is truly real for your life! AMEN.