“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:6, 10-11
I spent a few weeks consulting on the Psych floor of a large city hospital, aiding the staff in learning a new software program. The truth is, I had not planned to work on that particular unit; I worked on a similar floor once before and did not like the lock-down protocol of the unit. However, as I sat in on their Monday morning staff meeting listening to the clinicians recap the unit’s current patient roster, I thought to myself, “...this is truly a ministry.” The people who work on this unit have to be spiritually grounded, if not, they would be drawn into the myriad of psychosis ailing their patients. All of the failed suicide attempts, deep depression, and mental anguish of past and present demons
—both literal and figurative, would leave them so distraught and depressed each day, they would need their own services.
We have no idea how many people are mentally ailing, and are barely holding it together by a string. We ride mass transportation listening to our favorite music on our headphones, our faces buried in our cellphones oblivious to the people around us and what they may be going through, or what demons they may be battling. Furthermore, you may be thinking, “I can tell; I can see it on their faces.” Okay; those are the ones you can see. I am referring to the ones who are not so easily discernible. The ones who sat right next to you on the train today, or those having lunch at McDonald’s at the table next to you. Those unseen, unheard, nameless faces who have decided that today will be their last train ride or last meal. —Or, worse yet, yours.
A few months ago, two fashion marketing executives, leaders in the marketplace for more than two decades, planned their suicides. It included, among other things, a last meal at their favorite restaurant in San Francisco. After which, they quietly sipped their poisoned drinks at home, completing their suicide pact.
You really have to pray for the people around you. You never know when, where, or why God prompts you to do this. You may be the only person praying for them today; and, your prayer may be the one necessary act needed to restore their soul’s redemption from an act of suicide. If the spirit moves you to pray for someone, just do it. It does not have to be grand, long, or even audible; it will be your intercession on their behalf; and, it may just save them from themselves. L.
In the TED talk link below, Kevin Briggs and JD Schramm speak candidly about their own personal experiences, you can watch their personal stories on our Media page.
Study Reference: Isaiah 58:6-11
From:"Suicide Watch-It's Closer Than You Think." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: HDR photography
*(I'm not certain who the person is that needs this today, but please, get help. God loves you more than you can ever imagine! -Accept His Love & Choose Life!) Many people are often depressed during the holidays so, this act is much more prevalent during this time of year, even in the life of Believers. Today, Let's send this to everyone; let's try to stop someone from taking their life! Statistics say that every 3 minutes on Facebook someone is contemplating suicide. So, just share it; it really is closer than you think.
In the U.S. call the:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
This is a free, 24-hour Hotline service available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you prefer to be online, or you are outside the U.S., you can talk with someone directly on their website. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
I spent a few weeks consulting on the Psych floor of a large city hospital, aiding the staff in learning a new software program. The truth is, I had not planned to work on that particular unit; I worked on a similar floor once before and did not like the lock-down protocol of the unit. However, as I sat in on their Monday morning staff meeting listening to the clinicians recap the unit’s current patient roster, I thought to myself, “...this is truly a ministry.” The people who work on this unit have to be spiritually grounded, if not, they would be drawn into the myriad of psychosis ailing their patients. All of the failed suicide attempts, deep depression, and mental anguish of past and present demons
—both literal and figurative, would leave them so distraught and depressed each day, they would need their own services.
We have no idea how many people are mentally ailing, and are barely holding it together by a string. We ride mass transportation listening to our favorite music on our headphones, our faces buried in our cellphones oblivious to the people around us and what they may be going through, or what demons they may be battling. Furthermore, you may be thinking, “I can tell; I can see it on their faces.” Okay; those are the ones you can see. I am referring to the ones who are not so easily discernible. The ones who sat right next to you on the train today, or those having lunch at McDonald’s at the table next to you. Those unseen, unheard, nameless faces who have decided that today will be their last train ride or last meal. —Or, worse yet, yours.
A few months ago, two fashion marketing executives, leaders in the marketplace for more than two decades, planned their suicides. It included, among other things, a last meal at their favorite restaurant in San Francisco. After which, they quietly sipped their poisoned drinks at home, completing their suicide pact.
You really have to pray for the people around you. You never know when, where, or why God prompts you to do this. You may be the only person praying for them today; and, your prayer may be the one necessary act needed to restore their soul’s redemption from an act of suicide. If the spirit moves you to pray for someone, just do it. It does not have to be grand, long, or even audible; it will be your intercession on their behalf; and, it may just save them from themselves. L.
In the TED talk link below, Kevin Briggs and JD Schramm speak candidly about their own personal experiences, you can watch their personal stories on our Media page.
Study Reference: Isaiah 58:6-11
From:"Suicide Watch-It's Closer Than You Think." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: HDR photography
*(I'm not certain who the person is that needs this today, but please, get help. God loves you more than you can ever imagine! -Accept His Love & Choose Life!) Many people are often depressed during the holidays so, this act is much more prevalent during this time of year, even in the life of Believers. Today, Let's send this to everyone; let's try to stop someone from taking their life! Statistics say that every 3 minutes on Facebook someone is contemplating suicide. So, just share it; it really is closer than you think.
In the U.S. call the:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
This is a free, 24-hour Hotline service available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you prefer to be online, or you are outside the U.S., you can talk with someone directly on their website. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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