Success, Depression & Suicide

Linkin Park Vocalist Chester Bennington hung
himself July of 2017

It's a horrible entity that cancers the lives of so many. Depression and suicide (for the believers) are wicked spirits that walk hand in hand with one another. Where Depression is, suicide is not too far. Those who know me or heard my testimony knows that I've tried to take my own life on 5 separate occasions. All failed and I was finally met with purpose in Jesus. Unfortunately for many Jesus or religion is something they rather stay far from because it's religion that has hurt them or perhaps they don't believe at all. What about those who are successful? Those who have financial freedom that'd make any person envious? The mansions, cars, top-of-the-line clothing, fine dining and millions of followers/fans world wide how can anybody not be happy let alone kill themselves? It all points back to a statement from the 1700's "Money can't buy happiness." Something I've told my youth group was there's nothing wrong with having large amounts of money or lots of material possessions. It's when these things begin to consume you and you find your identity in them where it becomes an issue. An often misquoted bible verse is 1 Timothy 6:10 where it says "The love of money is the root of all evil." Noticed it never said money itself but the love of it. We somehow believe that if we are financially situated and live a luxurious lifestyle we won't be susceptible to sadness or depression.

Comedian Robin Williams also committed
suicide via hanging in August of 2014

 Often times people who suffer with depression are also the people that seem the happiest and care free. This is because those people often don't want to burden others with their problems so it's locked inside and becomes like a pressure cooker. If there's no relief of pressure there's the possibility of an explosion. Unfortunately this "explosion" can take a form of self harm, harming others and of course suicide. One suicide case that honestly surprised me was Robin Williams. This man was paid millions to make people laugh. He always had this aura on him that came across as a man whose at peace but apparently that definitely was not the case. Just as I said sometimes the most depressed people have the most beautiful and likeable personalities. A depressed person isn't always wearing black, listening to emo rock and looks broody like the stereotypes often attached. Sometimes a depressed person is well-kept, hygienic, bright eyed, etc. That's the disgustingly sneaky nature of depression. It can blend seamlessly into a persons life and it will go over many people unnoticed. Sometimes people who suffer depression only need a person to listen to them. They may not need a sermon or a therapist (not that these are bad and each certainly has there place) but rather just a listening ear that they can confide in. I've spoken to many people who only needed me to be there for them and listen to them or to be a shoulder to cry on and that was enough. Sometimes I think us a Christians believe that drilling bible verses in people or telling them to "stop being that way" will somehow cure them. It doesn't.

Earlier this year Dwayne Johnson revealed his
battle with depression.

Yes I truly believe God can deliver people from the spirit of depression and suicide as I was once that person. However the method in which this is done should be handled carefully. You shouldn't just drag a depressed person to church the moment they tell you their story but rather just listen to them and if the opportunity reveals itself than offer them a trip to the church. If they reject, let them be. Pray for them in your own personal time and remain in contact with them. Be their friend not their therapist, not their accountability partner, not their pastor but their FRIEND. If they're contemplating suicide let them know how valuable they are despite what may be happening right now to them. Some feel suicidal because of a broken heart due to the loss of a loved one or a bad breakup. Other times it's because of parental neglect or abuse. Maybe it's because they're being bullied or they can't seem to find there place in this world. It could be matter of sexual identity and acceptance from family. Despite what my beliefs are for and against no one deserves to be neglected of love or have there life taken away to the spirit of suicide. Whether you want to call it a spirit or a mental disorder it is a cancer that cannot be cured through material possession or millions of dollars.  Our happiness and freedom can solely be found in a genuine relationship with the Father. Not religious practice, not Sunday service attendance, not reciting prayers multiple times a day but a real, genuine relationship with the Almighty. There is no spirit, sickness or disorder that the Father cannot remove or relinquish from you. I pray that if you are a person who is going through suicidal thoughts and depression that you can find a person you can trust to talk to and also can find hope in God the same way I did. You're loved deeply and have purpose. You can have a tremendous bank account and marvelous material positions but the most valuable thing you could ever have is the love of God in you. I hope you find it.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call the Suicide Prevention Hotline 

1-800-273-8255 (it's free and confidential)

- William

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