A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO SUICIDE

I.     The Musical Lyrics of Suicide

William Shakespeare placed the following words in Macbeth’s mouth, 

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing. (Act 5, Scene 5)

Bertrand Russell stated, “There is darkness without and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, nor vastness anywhere; only triviality for a moment and then nothing.” The lyrics to the 1970s hit TV show ‘M*A*S*H’ are enlightening to say the least. 

Suicide Is Painless

The game of life is hard to playI’m gonna lose it anywayThe losing card I’ll someday laySo this is all I have to saySuicide is painlessIt brings on many changesAnd I can take or leave it if I please.

“The mandate about the song given from the director was that it had to be the “stupidest song ever written” and he wanted it to be called ‘Suicide Is Painless.’. . . This ideology is pretty much why the task got passed along to the director’s 14-year-old son”, Michael Mike Altman. “He wrote the lyrics in five minutes and went about his life.”

Many of today’s songs converge on this subject. Note some of the lyrics by YNW Melly, entitled “Suicidal.” 

Suicidal, your love is suicidal

And lately, I've been feeling suicidal

Your love is suicidal

I thought that we were meant to be

You took my heart and made it bleed

I gave you all my ecstasy

I know you'll be the death of me (Keep it Z3N)

Left lipstick on my Hennessy

Felt like you took my soul from me

You gave me all your ecstasy

I thought that we were meant to be

Your love is suicidal

For me, your love is suicidal

To me your love is suicidal

To me your love is suicidal

That something has broken the world we inhabit is well known. Too often, this damage is beyond repair, and that’s what I want to discuss in this final chapter. Traumatic stress often leads veterans, First Responders, victims of abuse, spouses, adults, and children to consider taking their lives. Notice the six article headings I’ve found on Academia.com. These are merely the tip of the iceberg. In another year, the amount of ink spilled on this topic will probably triple.  

II.    Veterans and Suicide

"Approximately 17 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day—a rate that is about 1.5 times that of nonveterans after adjusting for differences in age and sex, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Among active-duty U.S. troops, suicide rates remain about on par with that of the nonmilitary U.S. population—but both are on the rise. In August, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that 325 active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines died by suicide in 2018—40 more than in 2017 and the highest number since the department began collecting suicide data in 2001. “Nobody really knows why suicide rates continue to climb,” says Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, executive director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah.

"Many blame demographics—85% of the military is male, and men die by suicide more often than women. “But we also know that even female service members and veterans die by suicide at a higher rate than nonveterans and nonservice members,” Bryan says. In fact, according to 2017 data from the 2019 VA suicide prevention annual report, after adjusting for age, the suicide rate for women veterans was 2.2 times greater than the suicide rate for nonveteran women.

"In addition to demographics, factors such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, sexual victimization, . . . and substance use disorders also appear to contribute to suicide risk among service members and veterans. Older veterans may also be coping with aging, stress or lingering effects stemming from their military service that have never been addressed, while many recently discharged veterans have trouble with their relationships or their transitions back to civilian life.

"Now, psychologists across the country—both within and outside the DOD and the VA—are leading efforts to improve suicide risk assessment as well as conducting research to better understand and prevent military and veteran suicide. They’re also developing and piloting interventions, at both individual and community levels, to help respond to this deadly issue."1 (emphasis added)

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1 Amy Novotney, "Stopping military and veteran suicides," Monitor on Psychology Vol. 51 No. 1 (January/February 2020): 32.

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III.    Police and Combat Trauma

Dr. John Violanti, a retired police officer, has written, “Police officers are often exposed to traumatic events, such as seeing abused children or dead bodies, severe assaults, and involvement in shootings, and are therefore at risk for PTSD. Such exposure can impair the mental well-being of officers and affect their ability to perform duties to the public. The potential long-term effects of PTSD in police officers may additionally lead to behavioral dysfunction such as substance abuse, aggression, and suicide. It is estimated that, on average, approximately 15 percent of officers in the U.S. experience PTSD symptoms. Unfortunately, it is not definitively known what the true scope of this problem is among police.”2

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2 Dr. John Violanti, "PTSD among Police Officers: Impact on Critical Decision Making,"Dispatch  Volume 11 Issue 5 (May 2018).

IV.    Firemen/EMTs and Traumatic Stress

"Globally it is estimated that 10% to 35% of first responders, including firefighters, experience mental disorders3, 4. A meta-analysis examining mental disorders among ambulance personnel found estimated prevalence rates of 11% for PTSD, 15% for depression, 15% for anxiety, and 27% for general psychological distress.5 The study showed that PTSD is common among PSPs6. A study by Durham, McCammon, and Allison (1985) revealed 80% of rescue, firefighter, medical, and police personnel who treated victims of an apartment building explosion reported at least one symptom of PTSD7,8 The prevalence figures of PTSD in these groups were found to vary widely from 0%9 to 46%10. Prevalence rates of PTSD symptoms of firefighters have ranged from 6.5% to 37%.11 The significant variance in the prevalence rates of PTSD symptoms may be explained in the research population that is examined. When examining firefighters, military personnel, police, and paramedics specifically; PSPs in general; or a mixture of the individual professions, the sample sizes and selection of PTSD measures influence the results."12

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3 Berger W., Coutinho E.S.F., Figueira I., Marques-Portella C., Luz M.P., Neylan T.C., Marmar C.R., Mendlowicz M.V. "Rescuers at risk: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of the worldwide current prevalence and correlates of PTSD in rescue workers." Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 47 (2012):1001–1011.

4 Haugen P.T., Evces M., Weiss D.S., "Treating posttraumatic stress disorder in first responders: A systematic review." Clin. Psychol. Rev. 32 (2012):370–380.

5 Petrie K., Milligan-Saville J., Gayed A., Deady M., Phelps A., Dell L., Forbes D., Bryant R.A., Calvo R.A., Glozier N., et al. "Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Soc. Psychiatry. 53 (2018):897–909.

6 Ibid.

7 Alvarez J., Hunt M. Risk and resilience in canine search and rescue handlers after 9/11. J. Trauma. Stress. 18 (2005):497–505.;

8 Durham T.W., McCammon S.L., Allison E.J. "The psychological impact of disaster on rescue personnel." Ann. Emerg. Med. 14 (1985):664–668.

9 Morren M., Yzermans C.J., Van Nispen R.M.A., Wevers S.J.M. "The health of volunteer firefighters three years after a technological disaster." J. Occup. Health. 47 (2005):523–532.

10Stewart S.H., Mitchell T.L., Wright K.D., Loba P. The relations of PTSD symptoms to alcohol use and coping drinking in volunteers who responded to the Swissair Flight 111 airline disaster. J. Anxiety Disord. 2004;18:51–68.

11Del Ben K.S., Scotti J., Chen Y.-C., Fortson B.L. "Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in firefighters." Work Stress. 20 (2006):37–48.

12Gloria Obuobi-Donkor, Folajinmi Oluwasina, Nnamdi Nkire, and Vincent I.O. Agyapong, "A Scoping Review on the Prevalence and Determinants of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Military Personnel and Firefighters: Implications for Public Policy and Practice," Int J Environ Res Public Health. 19(3) (Feb. 2022): 1565.

V.    Abused Women and Children, and Traumatic Stress

“Domestic violence is a factor in up to one-quarter of female suicide attempts. Female victims of domestic violence have eight times the risk for suicide compared with the general population. Fifty percent of battered women who attempt suicide undertake subsequent attempts. Married females experience lower suicide rates compared with single females; however, if domestic violence is present in the marriage, the risk of suicide increases. If a pregnant woman is a victim of domestic violence, the risk of suicide increases. One in twelve pregnant women experience battering such as hits to the abdomen, breasts, or genitals, while 20 percent of pregnant female victims of domestic violence attempt suicide. Many female victims of domestic violence indicate that their rate of victimization increased when they became pregnant. Along with domestic violence, the prior loss of a child by miscarriage or a desire for abortion also increase suicidal tendencies. Research shows that in addition to married and pregnant women, young girls experiencing domestic violence also have increased rates of suicide."12

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12"Female Suicide and Domestic Violence," Criminal Justice, https://criminal-justice.iresearchnet.com/types-of-crime/domestic-violence/female-suicide/.

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The analysis of 68 studies by psychologists at the University of Manchester and University of South Wales revealed that suicide attempts were:

• Three times more likely for people who experienced sexual abuse as a child

• Two and a half times more likely for people who experienced physical abuse as a child

• Two and a half times more likely for people who experienced emotional abuse or neglect as a child.”13
  

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13Ioannis Angelakis, Emma Louise Gillespie, Maria Panagioti, "Childhood maltreatment and adult suicidality: a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis." Psychological Medicine, 9 (2019).

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I.    As A Christian, Christ Has Called You to Suffering 

Before we can accurately understand the meaning of our afflictions, we must look at the misery and trials our Lord Jesus endured. Suffering in God’s Kingdom has great purpose and benefit. 

Isa. 52:3-5, 7, 8, 11 He (Jesus, the Son of God) was despised and abandoned by men, A man of great pain and familiar with sickness; And like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we had no regard for Him. 4 However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, Struck down by God, and humiliated. 5 But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. . . . 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, . . . 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; . . . 10 But the Lord desired To crush Him, causing Him grief; . . . 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, (emphasis added) 

In the verses above, Isaiah emphasizes, first of all, the depth of suffering the Son of God endured: despised—twice, abandoned, suffered great pain—twice and familiar with sickness, disregarded, afflicted —twice, struck down, humiliated, pierced by a spear, crushed—twice, wounded, punished, oppressed, oppressed, judged, grieved, anguished in soul. Many of these verbs describe the condition of traumatic stress. 

Second, His suffering was not for Himself but for His people. For us, He bore familiarity with your sicknesses and He carried our incredible pain. v. 4. God pierced, crushed, punished, and wounded Him for your sin and our spiritual healing, v. 5. The Father oppressed and afflicted the Son for you, v. 7. He oppressed and judged the Messiah for you, v. 8. God crushed and caused His Son grief for you, v. 10, putting Him through tremendous anguish of soul for you, v. 11, for us who believe. Everything Jesus did and the Father sanctioned, He did it for His elect. And He deserved none of it! But He submitted to the Father’s will expressly going through these things for the moment you and I have reached our limit, and we want it all to end. But He kept going for us. And all that He endured also supplies us with the enabling grace to persevere. 

Third, and most importantly, what does this tell us about God Himself? His mercy is limitless. He spares nothing to bring His will to completion, your salvation. We have seen above His power to perform His will is beyond measure. No cost is too high for Him to pay or too great to suffer. There are no depths He will not plummet to reach the weakest of us. His greatness and power know no bounds. He will not withhold from you anything, and in these and so much more, we have confidence. No suffering is too great for the Son to endure on your behalf. His bounty is past finding out. There is no end to His goodness for us. 

Fourth, knowing # 3 above, is not sufficient to keep you from committing suicide. If that was all there was to it, knowing some truths about God and Jesus, we would be in trouble. What we need is power, not simply the knowledge God is powerful. When we trusted in Jesus, God gave us a down payment or earnest of our eternal inheritance, the Holy Spirit. He is our Counselor and the greatest benefit Christ 

won for us through His perfect obedience to the Father. He is able to guide us into all the truth and assist us in discerning Satan's lies about the benefit of ending our lives. 

Fifth, # 3 counterbalances the deceptions of Satan. He will do anything to convince us to take our own lives. 1 Peter 5:8 warns veterans, Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (emphasis added) When we consider suicide, Satan will devastate us because we are at our weakest. Suffering is the natural state of humanity in general since the Fall of man into sin. Even so, we can understand misery is a regular condition for the Christian. God has chosen you and me for suffering through traumatic stress. 

When you have those tough days, it is not the time to start thinking about these verses below. Now is the day of salvation. Suffering is so often the gateway to enter God’s rest. 

Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.2 Cor. 4:17 For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 

2 Cor. 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,2 Cor.8:2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 

Rom. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.2 Cor. 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 

Phil. 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;Phil. 4:12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 

Col. 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.1 Thess. 2:14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 

1 Thess. 3:4 For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know.2 Thess. 1:4 As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 

2 Tim. 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,2 Tim. 3:11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 

Heb. 2:9-10, 32 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of His suffering death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone (who believes-the elect). 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings. . . . 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 

Jas. 5:10, 13 As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. . . . 13 Is anyone among you suffering?1 Pet. 1:11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 

1 Pet. 2:19, 23 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. . . . 23 and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;1 Pet. 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.1 Pet. 5:1, 9 Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: . . . 9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. (emphasis added) 

Think about your brothers in arms, the men who shared everything with you during battle. Think about how so many suffer like you but without hope. God spared you so you might be a light to them of your assurance and comfort in Christ. 

Heb. 2:9-11 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of His suffering death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He (Holy Spirit) who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, . . . 16 For clearly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (emphasis added) THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS!!! 

II.    Satan, sin, and Suicide 

Westminster Confession of FaithChapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof 

I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptations of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:13; 2 Cor. 11:3). This their sin, God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory (Rom. 11:32).II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion, with God (Gen. 3:6-8; Eccl. 7:29: Rom. 3:23), and so became dead in sin (Gen. 2:17; Eph.2:1), and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body (Tit. 1:15; Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-18). 

III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:16-17; Acts 17:26; Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45, 49); and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation (Ps. 51:5; Gen. 5:3; Job 14:4; 15:4). 

IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good (Rom. 5:6; 8:7; 7:18; Col. 1:21), and wholly inclined to all evil (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-12), do proceed all actual transgressions (Jas. 1:14-15; Eph. 2:2-3; Mt. 15:19). 

A.    Satan 

Having experienced many of the subtleties of this depraved, angelic being, the devil or Satan, can make killing oneself a desired course of action. That’s how I experienced him that day I took a bottle of sleeping pills. Satan speaks deceitfully to Christians and non-believers in great pain and despair. Killing oneself renders a Christian’s future service to the Kingdom null and void. 

The devil can’t make us do anything, praise God, but since he is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (Jn. 8:44), his lying enticements are most attractive. Jesus certainly believed in the devil (Mt. 4:1-10); NO MATTER HOW HARD IT TRIES, Governments cannot solve the veteran and spousal suicide epidemic. The problem lies in the heart, a target the military is ill-equipped to address.

Researchers and psychologists have written and will continue to compose many papers on suicide. So long as these mental health workers disregard the devil’s existence, they have cut themselves off from perhaps the leading contributor to the deaths of untold scores of people. They are always learning and can never know the truth (2 Tim. 3:7). 

Read the following verses from the ESV. Please consider what they tell you about Satan. 

Gen. 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

Zech. 3:1-3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 

Mt. 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”Jn. 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

Jn. 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.Rom. 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 

2 Cor. 2:10-11 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.2 Cor. 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 

Eph. 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

Jas. 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.1 Pet. 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

1 Jn. 3:8 “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”Rev. 2:8-9 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (emphasis added)

B.    Sin

Not only can Satan deceive us into agreeing with His lies, convincing us his lie is true as he did with Eve in the Garden, Gen. 3:1-6, but sin and our flesh also deceives us to follow the paths they cut for us. Note the following truths from Scripture. Sin, dwelling in us, also deceives us. 

Jer. 9:3 “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says the LORD.Jer. 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? “Jn. 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 

Rom. 7:15-23 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 

Gal. 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 

Eph. 2:1-3 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 

Heb. 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.Jas. 1:13-16 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full- grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 

1 Jn. 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (ESV; emphasis added)

It’s a wonder more of us don’t kill ourselves. Satan, sin, and the flesh are powerful allies working toward our defeat and death. Rom. 8:31-33 reminds us, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ... 

God has one way of dealing with traumatic stress, and only one. That's through the Person and Work of Christ. The combat veteran, First Responders, and their spouses must first take care of THE major issue, and it ain’t traumatic stress. Trials and ailments mask much more significant issues. Luke points this out. 

Luke 5:17-26 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13-14) has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” (emphasis added) 

III.    Our Exhausting Trials Can Lead to Suicide 

What happens when you're out of "gas," emotionally and psychologically? You've run into a brick wall, perhaps of your making or someone else's and you don't want to continue. I've been there more than once, and so have you. I've already spoken about taking a bottle of sleeping pills. Finished best described me: done, D-U-N, and I didn't care. Jesus reached that point, too. No matter what He said or did. The Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees hated Him and wanted Him dead; D-E-D. 

After sharing the Passover meal, one of his followers betrayed Him to the Jewish authorities. Then, eleven of His disciples abandoned Jesus leaving Him alone at His most "vulnerable." Jesus faced a crowd of hostile Jews coming to arrest Him. Twelve hours later, Jesus would hang from a Roman cross. 

Let's back up to that hour in Gethsemane. Jesus couldn't interest His disciples in prayer for what they all would face: betrayal, denial, abandonment, their weak flesh, and His soul very sorrowful even to death. He gave them two chances to wake up, but their eyes were heavy. A very bad, no good, rotten evening, indeed. And just how bad did it get? Luke 22:43-44 tells us. [[Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground]]. 

What's so amazing is that Jesus endured sin's curse, not for Himself, but He did it for the people whom God had given Him out of the world (Jn. 17:6), some of whom would abandon Him or crucify Him. He merited their salvation through His perfect obedience to God's will. Jesus' atonement forms the basis for our justification as opposed to His merely suffering as an example of the cost of sacrifice. Criteria saves no one. By this divine work, the Spirit enables us to embrace the truths of our standing in Christ by faith. When we deplete our emotional reserves, we are prepared to embrace Christ as our sanctifier. 

We should meditate on the depth of Jesus' suffering in Luke 22:43-44, which is infinitely greater than what you may be encountering now or in the future. Satan will tell you no one is suffering as much as you. What I am not suggesting is that since Jesus gave us an example of endurance. Follow His example. No 'example' ever delivered anyone from sin. If you are in Christ, the benefits of what Jesus went through, withstanding monstrous humiliating degradation, is credited or imputed to you. Jesus's actions do not merely give you an example to follow. What this means is Jesus suffered for you against sin to a degree you won't ever have to suffer, meriting God's righteousness for you. He resisted every obstacle He faced, including Satan's lies, so that your temptations can not reach the level of what Jesus faced. The Holy Spirit filled and empowered the Son to obey the Father's will for you. That same filling and empowering is yours in Christ when the devil tempts you. He necessarily then applies this benefit Jesus won for you and to you for this time. Since Jesus's suffering was of infinite value, He took the full wrath of God on the infinite disvalue of our sin in our stead so that our trials could never reach the level His suffering did for us. Tempted or not, you stand clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. 

Let's put this "ammo in our magazines" to get through Satan's coming ambush to God’s glory. 

1 Cor. 10:12-13 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. 13 No temptation (from without, the world/Satan or within us, sin/flesh) has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful (from heaven; we are not faithful, from the earth), so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (emphasis added) 

IV.   The Purpose of Your “Brick Wall” 

A.    Less Reliance on Self 

What is the point? If God loves us so much, why put us through such troubles? He did so for three reasons. 

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves (1) so that we would not trust in ourselves, (2) but in God who raises the dead, 10 who rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 if you also join in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many. 

Isa. 25:4 For You have been a stronghold for the helpless, A stronghold for the poor in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; (emphasis added)

God put Paul and his companions through such terrible sufferings so that we would slowly stop trusting in ourselves. The instant our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned and Christ came looking for them was to trust in themselves to evade God's all-seeing gaze and consequent justice. Destructive self- trust has been with us ever since Eden. God brought Paul to the place where he believed death would overtake him at any moment to teach him Christ is Lord of life and death. The next breath we take belongs to Christ. God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death. King David knew this truth when he wrote, God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death (Ps. 68:20). 

He gives us life and can take it away, for we are His creatures who break His commandments regularly. Acts 17:25 declares, Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; Yet, God had mercy on Paul and the others to teach them their lives were controlled by God, not themselves. They had no control, not even over the next second of life—every moment, they depended on Christ, not on themselves. For God's elect, we must savor every moment as precious. 

B.    More Reliance on God 

The second reason God takes us through difficult circumstances is so that we will learn to trust in Him more than ourselves. At a moment in time on the battlefield, we despaired even of life. We cling tenaciously to this life, oblivious that we are born dying. We pamper ourselves, forgetting our bodies are dwindling away. It was as if God raised Paul from the dead numerous times, which is the point. 

Luke next writes, (that we trust) in God who raises the dead, 10 who rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us. Paul would stand before Caesar in Rome, but because of this severe trial at sea, Paul became convinced there would be a more incredible rescue, one of his soul in the resurrection. By "dying" at sea, God would even so deliver him from eternal death through Christ Jesus, his savior. The truths Paul taught about these things became more real and precious to him because God held his hand in the storm. So we can say truthfully, Paul was in no danger at sea, and neither were you on the battlefield. Bringing you and me to the end of our ropes has had great purpose and meaning for no reason other than God's involvement. 

C.   More  Thanking and Praising God  

The last reason for going through battle: so that thanks may be given (to God) by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many. 

Ps. 22:1-5 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? 

Far from my help are the words of my groaning.2 My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer;And by night, but I have no rest. 

3 Yet You are holy,You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted;They trusted and You rescued them.5 To You they cried out and they fled to safety;In You they trusted and were not disappointed. 

Suicide is an option for your troubles. Jesus knew its pull on His way to the cross. Paul knew it during his trials. Perhaps you, too, have reached the 'end of your rope.' You shouldn't be surprised. Glory begins at the end of your rope. The truth of the Gospel is God's antidote to helplessness and hopelessness. Jesus is sufficient for any circumstance, good or bad. 

Ps. 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.Rom. 10:11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 

Paul found his joy in the meaning of his suffering. God has called us all to participate in the sufferings of Christ, and this speaks against suicide. Thus, our sufferings for Christ possess intrinsic value. How will we participate in His exaltation if we are unwilling to join in Jesus’ humiliation? 

2 Tim. 2:11-12 The statement is trustworthy: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; 

“(T)his suffering is not to fulfill any deficiency in the merit of Christ, but to fulfill our destinies as wit- nesses to the perfect Suffering Servant of God. (Sproul, “In Christ Our Suffering Is Not in Vain,” Ligonier, 2020)