A cry not loud enough

This weekend, I sat in the parking lot of a grocery store waiting for my wife whilst so many thoughts were racing through my mind and one of them was on the topic of suicide- a very sensitive topic that needs to be treated with tact, love & care

Although, my post today should have dealt with overcoming worry. Wanted to shelve that for another time and deal with this subject in its immediacy. The world is still reeling at the shock deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain because of the nature of their deaths. I think we all know by now in this life, death is inevitable but sometimes what makes us sad is in the manner which it occurred.

Suicide doesn’t play no partisan politics- the rich and the famous, the talented, young or old, male or female, black or white, spiritual or atheist, achiever or underachiever; they all fall prey in its wake. Suicide doesn’t look at status

In the country I live, it is said to be the second leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24 and the third leading cause of death between the ages of 10 and 14. According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), there are nearly 45,000 suicides every year in the US alone. That is some scaring, bone chilling statistics

I am not an expert on this topic but wanted to throw light on it as a concerned person in my post today. I thought of this story in the Bible as my point of reference

“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Now this was the story of Elijah, a prophet who had a major victory in his life when he went into a showdown with 450 prophets of Baal about whose god was worthy of worship- he won when God came on the scene and Elijah killed all 450. You can read more of that in the preceding chapter- 1 Kings 18. After such a great victory which must have been gratifying to him personally, the queen of his country; Jezebel issued a threat to him seeking his life. He became a fugitive on the run and while on his journey exhausted, he lamented these words, “take away my life”

The first step to overcoming suicidal thoughts and tendencies is to be honest with your feelings and emotions. I had an enlightening conversation with my wife this past weekend on if suicide victims are honest with their emotions? We unanimously came to a conclusion they are not. Please, it is okay if you feel weak and feel like dying. Face your emotions and don’t suppress them thinking it is alright and you can deal with it alone. That is the lie suicide whispers: “you can deal with it alone, don’t tell anybody to be judged funny”. Most victims never open up and mask their pain with fame, fortune, over working and still feel empty. The few that come forward were judged funny which proved their suspicions right. Please we should never dismiss or start giving solutions away without empathy when one approaches us. Let us be each other’s neighbor and keeper by empathizing first

Secondly, believe in the power of prayer and talking to God. Let that be your outlet to vent and cry out for help as Elijah did. After this ‘rant’, God answered him and he didn’t kill himself. He didn’t submit to the suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Prayer is a powerful and effective tool in communicating to God about your deficiencies, weaknesses and who you really are without being judged by a loving God who will come through for you

““This is GOD ’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as GOD: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’” Jeremiah‬ ‭33:2-3‬ MSG

Let this verse serve as a hope to pray. Today I am campaigning and advocating for prayer to God to anyone reading and that is EVERYONE. I cry out aloud “Believe in the power of praying!”. I hope my cry is loud enough to arrest your attention

Lastly, please talk to a professional and seek help. Wherever you live or are has skilled professionals adept at the subject of suicide and it will do a great deal of help.

Today’s post is dedicated to the families of suicide victims. I also wrote this to you, reader if you are struggling. Please get help and don’t be another statistic. You are greatly loved and cherished

Please do me a favor by sharing today’s post

Till I come your way again

Peace & Love

NB:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

suicidepreventionlifeline.org