Pastor Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life, 27 year old son committed suicide.
My prayers go out to Pastor Rick Warren, his family and congregation.
My prayers go out to Pastor Rick Warren, his family and congregation.
Depression is a powerful and deadly mental illness. I know firsthand!
I pray that those suffering with this weight are able to seek the help they need, despite the stigmas and fear associated with being labeled "mentally ill." I'm certain (and know form experience) that the label and the constant reminder of it, is enough to cause a person to "pretend" that all is well in the presence of others; but when the doors close, and we are physically "alone," Satan gets excited! Satan rejoices that we have chosen to isolate ourselves…making easier and in some cases finally possible for him get busy doing his dirty work. I can only imagine his excitement!
Satan is a master at what he does and effectively demonstrates his mastery by filling us with his powerful and convincing lies, fore he “[…] He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and of all that is false.” (John 8:44 Amplified Bible.)
He advances with his arsenal in such fashion:
I pray that those suffering with this weight are able to seek the help they need, despite the stigmas and fear associated with being labeled "mentally ill." I'm certain (and know form experience) that the label and the constant reminder of it, is enough to cause a person to "pretend" that all is well in the presence of others; but when the doors close, and we are physically "alone," Satan gets excited! Satan rejoices that we have chosen to isolate ourselves…making easier and in some cases finally possible for him get busy doing his dirty work. I can only imagine his excitement!
Satan is a master at what he does and effectively demonstrates his mastery by filling us with his powerful and convincing lies, fore he “[…] He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and of all that is false.” (John 8:44 Amplified Bible.)
He advances with his arsenal in such fashion:
"You're worthless!..Nobody loves you!..You will never amount to anything!..
They will be better off without you!…You’re not smart enough!...You’re not wonderfully made.!..You’re ugly!...You’re lazy!...You can’t do anything right!...You're a failure!...You'll never be successful!...AND THE MOST DAMNING OF ALL: God does not exist and if he does, he doesn't care about you – after all, if he did why would he allow you to suffer!" ...and on, and on, and on!
They will be better off without you!…You’re not smart enough!...You’re not wonderfully made.!..You’re ugly!...You’re lazy!...You can’t do anything right!...You're a failure!...You'll never be successful!...AND THE MOST DAMNING OF ALL: God does not exist and if he does, he doesn't care about you – after all, if he did why would he allow you to suffer!" ...and on, and on, and on!
In the midst of many years of battling depression, low self-esteem and the effects of neglect, physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, to now know in my heart…and I have chosen to believe, the TRUTH about God and his most sacred creation (you and me):
“[ …] He [God] first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NKJV
“[…] I [we] am fearfully and wonderfully made […] Psalm 139:14 NKJV”
“[…] I [we] am fearfully and wonderfully made […] Psalm 139:14 NKJV”
And when all else fails and I begin to feel overwhelmed with fear, sadness or even anger over the past traumas and "[...]fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16), I meditate on the words of Psalm 27:1-14 NKJV
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
I Pray that you are Blessed ALWAYS in the Mighty and Magnificent name of Jesus! HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!