Why Death when there is Life to live? (3 min Read)

 (September being World suicide prevention month. I dedicate this article to all the youths of our Nation)

The statistics concerning suicide rates in our country are alarming. Around 7 lakh people die committing suicide every year in our country. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15–19-year-olds. 77% of global suicides occur in low-and middle-income countries.

The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044. (Source: IC3 Institute)

Life in this 21^st century is not an easy cakewalk for most of us. Young minds are constantly assaulted with negative thoughts and mixed ideologies affect their Mental Health. Utter chaos and busyness is the state of their mind. Where can one get help and find solace in such troubled moments?

As human beings, we are made with intrinsic worth. No doubt we are wonderfully created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). We are not just an accident on this planet, without any purpose. We are specially crafted by God and our lives are in His hands. We have no right to take our lives. God is the sole owner of our lives. The clay learns submission only in the hands of the potter. Are we like the clay submitting in His hands?

Suicide is surely a cowardly, devilish act when we don’t dare to face life’s challenges. “Winners never quit; those who quit never win”. we are called to soar high like an eagle. Never look down and walk without hope. There is a ray of hope and light for you in the following lines.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

As you read these lines (whoever you may be) allow these words to speak to you and take a grip on your life. Make a simple prayer in the place where you are right away and place your life into the hands of God.  You will be a changed person with renewed strength to face life’s challenges.

Rest is assured from God as you read and reflect on these comforting words of Jesus in Mat 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Respond to this invitation. Ask for immediate help if you have any suicidal thoughts. Seek the help of your friend, family member, or a trusted counselor without any delay. Talk to anyone whom you are comfortable with and get help. There is so much to live in this present life. You’re not alone in this fight. 

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!  

O' what a Day to Remember!

I recollect this day in the year 2001 how Christ made a difference in my life. I accepted Him as my personal Lord and savior (7.4.2001) through a simple way but it has changed my life’s direction and goal. As I look back from now, I don’t have any regrets in making that decision. He has always been faithful to me (1 Cor 1:9).  On this day I contemplate the joy I had that very night I received Him in my life. All I had was a simple childlike faith to go to Him and confess my sins and by faith received Him as my Lord and Savior.

In this brief post I like to share how I led to that decision on that day and how significant it is. So that if you have not received Him in your life, you can confess your sins and receive Him by faith as your Lord and Savior. Will you? Trust me you will never regret for making this costly decision.

As I was young and energetic youth I was so active in attending church meetings regularly and had many Christian friends, also went to lot of Christian camps but still my heart was far from God. I still haven’t surrendered my life to God. I attended a youth meeting in our church at Coimbatore on 7th of April. That very afternoon I have come to know how John Stott, a good Christian evangelical writer, received the Lord in his life during his school days.

I dropped the preacher after the meeting in my bike to the nearby stop. While driving the preacher asked me have you received Jesus in your life? I just nodded my head but deep within I know who I am. That very evening I started to search my book shelf and found a book named ‘Truth about Jesus’ by John Stott. I started reading this book because I heard about this man that afternoon. Coming to a particular chapter –chapter 10 – ‘Reaching a decision’, Stott expounds the verse Rev 3:20 poignantly. It meant a lot to me that evening. I believe I was convicted by the Spirit of God and I confessed my sins to Him and with tears received Him through faith. Truly it was joy filled night to me. I ran to share to one of my friend next day morning about my new spiritual experience. He too was excited and prayed with me. O’ what a Day to Remember!

I beseech every reader of this article to think about your own life. Have you received Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

Delay not for making this decision. Your life will be safe in His hands. God has a good plan for your future (Jer 29:11).  

Don’t try Him, rather Trust Him in simple faith!