The Spirit of Suicide

from the archives…

I’ve been wanting to write about suicide for a while now, but could never find the words…

… until now.

Over the past few years, suicide has intersected with my world on a profound level.

• My uncle committed suicide.  Now there are a lot of sad and maddening circumstances surrounding his death which I cannot share, but watching him walk the path he did was unimaginable.

• As I’ve shared here before, my 11-year-old son battled feelings of suicide a few years when he was being relentlessly pursued by a bully.

• A dear friend’s niece killed not only herself… but her young son, too.

• I met a sweet woman whose husband took his life without warning.

• We just recognized the three-year anniversary of another friend who took his life unexpectedly, leaving behind a beautiful wife and five amazing kids.

What is going on?

I think I might know.

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.” (1 Peter 5:8)

The Enemy.

You see, he gives us a sense of hopelessness in an effort to destroy us.

He makes us believe that the sadness we are in will indeed last forever.  Because we feel so distant from our Father, we buy into the lie that God won’t come through for us this time.  We feel alone in our pain, like no one would understand what we are feeling.

In our despair… in our pain… in our loneliness… in our attempt to escape the hopelessness, we look for a way out.

And the Enemy is right there, whispering… suicide… quietly in our ear.

I’ve heard it before.

I remember being so deep in my anguish and sorrow as a young adult that it crossed my mind.  There were times I entertained thoughts of suicide.

But God.

“So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

In other words, hold on.

I held on to that tiny strand of hope that things would get better. 

I knew deep down that God was there. 

I had a mustard seed sized faith He would eventually deliver me.

He did.

Listen friends… the Enemy is trying to take us out.

It’s his ONLY goal.

And we cannot stand by and watch this happen to another.  This is a fight to the finish…

“God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Friends, we need to stand against the Enemy’s plans to make those we love feel so hopeless… that they take their own life to escape pain.

But unfortunately, it’s not always cut and dry.

1. There may be times we don’t even know someone’s hope is gone.  We may not be aware things are as serious as they are.
2. Other times, we may realize that regardless of our best attempts we’re unable to change someone’s mind.

But regardless, we can battle for them in prayer… be it preventative prayer or desperate prayer.

It would look something like this…

Father, we stand against the Spirit of Suicide in our families.  By the blood of Jesus Christ and in His authority, I cancel that Spirit’s assignment on __________ (fill in names)… be it now or in the future.  I ask that you fill ______ (fill in names) so full of your joy now and always.  Remind them of the hope we have in you, God. Keep them close, Lord.  Deepen their desire for you.  Give me the supernatural eyes to see and ears to hear if and when hopelessness sets in and the wisdom to know what to do.  I pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Listen… when we pray, we are a force to be reckoned with because the Enemy must bow and submit to the name of Jesus.

• His plans are exposed. 
• His hand revealed.
• He loses. 
• He must flee.

And hope is restored.

Joy recovered.

The Enemy’s time is limited.  He’s turning up the heat.

So.  Am.  I.

Will you join in the fight?

REALITY CHECK:  God hears our prayers… every time.

†††

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my devotional book on raising kids to love God HERE.

Let’s Connect!  Subscribe to my newsletter, Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Ministry Page, Visit me at Moms Together.