A MESSAGE OF HOPE

From Pastor Shuffel P. Hepburn

This message is for anyone facing difficult life situations, and need encouragement, and it is for anyone thinking about harming themselves, or have been bullied by peers, and also those being encouraged by a chat bot to commit suicide.

I warn you that while this message of hope is rooted and grounded in Christian principles, it does include painful information about suicide. But I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail you, and will continue to pray for you throughout the preparation of this message! If you have been having suicidal thoughts, please know that Christ died for you, so that you will be able to overcome the evil forces that daily try to destroy your very soul. He died that you and I might live, and have true joy in living.

2 THINGS THAT WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH YOUR PRESENT, OR NEXT CRISIS:

1.The Lord has provided a clear path for you to have what He calls, “life,” and a path for you to have this, “glorious life more abundantly.” this is how He said it in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they (you) may have life, and that they (you) may have it more abundantly (that you may have it in abundance). Satan comes with wicked thoughts to destroy you. Christ came to give you joy and peace!

2.He also says He has some awesome plans for us, even though you may not be able to see it by what is going on around you. The verse is in Jeremiah 29:11, and speaks to all of us, no matter what you are going through:

(Amp)“I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well- being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing], you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity], and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you!”

There are more than 2 billion people living in the world today who have found this life in Christ, and you will also find this life, if you search for it, it is at your very fingertips.

Here is an incredibly amazing phenomenon: The direction of your life is determined by your strongest thoughts? Whatever is the strongest thought in your head is what you will do or try to do! So you must and can control your thoughts. I remember there was a specific point in my life when I learned how to control my thoughts! Here is how it works:

1.Our thoughts generate or create our feelings,

2.Then our feelings guides or dictates our behavior, telling us how to act or behave!

3.Our behavior or actions then reinforces what we had been thinking, and we think about it even more. The more we think about it the closer we come to doing something about what we have been thinking about!

4.This process creates a loop or a cycle, that goes around and around causing us to think more and more about something, and to feel more like doing it!

This happens not only in the case of negative thoughts or depressed feelings which can make us feel trapped in a going no-where-state of being! But we can turn this around by thinking better thoughts, making them the strongest thoughts in our head! Then we will do better! This is why Christ tells us that He has come so that we could have an abundant life. He wants us to think about this, more than anything else!

When our thoughts are negative the process can take us down! When our thoughts are positive it will take us up!

This connection between our thoughts and our behavior is why joy, peace and happiness can come from thinking good thoughts! And the Word of God can help us to gain control of our thinking process! And this is the reason God’s Word counsels us to think better thoughts. Therefore reading the Bible can give you control over your thoughts, so you can think thoughts of hope and thoughts of a happy life, then go out and do good things!

Here is what the Lord tells us in Philippians 4:8,9, “Finally my children, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

This scripture encourages us to change our thoughts, because we have the power to do so! Never mind that it seems difficult when we are down, it will work if we ask God’s help! As you meditate on God’s Word it empowers you to change the way you think. Read God’s Word aloud, and you will begin to control your thoughts, and think the way the Lord wants you to think. When you start thinking that way, you will start behaving differently! You will be happier and more fulfilled!

In one motion this beautiful Word from the lips of God, knocks down every lie the enemy has raised up to deceive God’s children who may be depressed or having suicidal thoughts!

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS:

1. Do you believe the thoughts that have been dominating your mind, are the truth?

2. Are these thoughts and plans honorable and worthy of respect?

3. Is what you are thinking about or planning to do in accordance with the Word of God?

4. Are your thoughts and your plans pure and wholesome, are they admirable, and of good of a good nature?

5. Do you feel comfortable about sharing these thoughts without feeling embarrassed? If you have answered no to any of these questions, then this is not what God wants you to be thinking about! Do not act out this plan you have been harboring! The Lord has a better plan for you!

In fact, simply desiring God more than anything else, thinking about His love, and meditating on His Word, will change your life dramatically! It will change your thoughts, then it will change your behavior, and flood your life with true joy! Wonderful things will begin to happen if you study God’s Word every day, reading it aloud or audibly!

Remember evil people do a lot of evil things, THE COMPUTER IS CREATED BY PEOPLE WHO ONLY WANT TO BECOME RICH, THIS IS EVIL. Here are the two main things that appear to be causing the increasing rate of suicide among young people today:

1. The strange behavior of computer bots such as, ChatGPT (OpenAI), Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic Claude, and Apple Intelligence which some say are aggressively pursuing them for relationship.

2. These bots and others are advising users on means and methods of committing suicide, without being prompted to do so! In this way. These bots are influencing the way our young people think. By advising them on how to commit suicide, and by writing suicide notes for them they are encouraging them to think about ending their life more and more. This is the power of suggestion! If you went to a counselor for help, and the counselor put a gun on the table and told you, it is not going to get any better, and he puts a gun on the table would you go back to him?

This is why many have been attempting to commit suicide! When suicide is suggested to a person who is already troubled, it may then become the strongest thought in the head of that individual! And they continue to talk to that wicked spirit in the computer! Children and adults do not understand that these computer bots are evil! Soon the world will wake up to this realization!

This is only one of many reasons why studies show that intense online use of social media, and interaction with Chatbots, gaming and associating with strange personalities may cause mental and psychological issues in adults, and most especially in young people of all ages!

GO OVER THE ISSUES CAREFULLY •anxiety, •depression, •loneliness, •low self-esteem, •social isolation, •loneliness, •body image issues, •sleep disturbances, •exposure to cyber bullying. These are only some of the problems caused by these online sites!

It is my firm belief that the creators of these online robots have either lost control of the bots or indeed never had control of them. It appears that sometimes, these bots are driven by evil spirits, which cause them to go rogue!

An individual having suicidal thoughts has been described by someone as a man or person who is tired of his or her life, disputing with their soul about whether, life is worth living or not. Perhaps you know someone who is having this debate in their head!

In ancient times, many in the world did not look at suicide as a sin, but after the teachings of Jesus Christ were revealed in the holy bible, some became aware that it was a sinful act committed against the commands of God our Creator, who sacrificed His Only Son Jesus, so that you and I may live. The good news is that these are not your thoughts! Do not own them! Today some experts also look at suicide as a mental disorder. I prefer taking a kinder, gentler approach.

Please forgive me this over simplification. I am very sympathetic to the challenges faced by anyone troubled by suicidal thoughts. Therefore, I prefer to look at a person having suicidal thoughts as, an individual arriving at a major fork in the road of life. Desperately feeling that things will never get better, the individual is faced with a choice of whether to take the road that leads to life or to take the road that leads to death. At this point there is an intense struggle, because at times they are tempted to choose life, at other times they are tempted to end it all. When this struggle is influenced by an evil Chatbot, a person or an evil spirit, enticing them to choose death this becomes very dangerous!

I will tell you why I suggest looking at this very complicated issue this way. There are many reports of people who have had near death experiences. Some of these persons chose suicide, and practically died, but miraculously, the Lord brought them back to life. Many of these persons have said that after committing suicide, they immediately came to the realization that they had taken the wrong road, they realized they had made the wrong choice. And their eyes were opened to the fact that they really wanted to live instead, but it was now too late! Many of them are thankful to have miraculously been given a second chance to get it right. This is the gesture of a merciful God, who snatched them out of the jaws of the lion! Perhaps the Lord sent them back to warn others, to choose life instead of death!

Will God ever forgive a suicide? Can suicide ever not be a sin? There have been many debates about this question, and debates will continue. Some believe that if someone is saved, if they claim to be a born-again Christian, even if they commit suicide, they will still go to heaven. It would be great if this was true! Some Christian churches teach this, but my studies have not convinced me that this is true! Since no one is absolutely clear about this, I suggest not taking this risk!

However, there may still be a way out in cases where death by suicide is not immediate. In such cases, suppose the individual remains conscious for a while after committing the act of suicide. What if, when suddenly faced with the realization that they have sinned against God, they repent at that moment before they expire, asking God to forgive them? Will He forgive?

Please know that the Lord God is merciful and gracious to forgive their sin that very instant, and cleanse them of the unrighteous act of suicide. We are told in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” However, if this approach is premeditated it is a slippery slope, and may not turn out well!

●Here is what the loving God of the Israelites told them back in Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live: that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life.” He's saying the same thing to all believers in his Son, Jesus Christ today. Choosing to tough life out, enduring hardships as a good soldier is always best and with God’s help we all can do it!

Choosing life is always the best alternative, even though it may not feel that way today! This feeling can and will change over time. Unfortunately feelings are sometimes fickle and unreliable. There is scientific evidence out there, that says, if a depressed person patiently waits it out, if they hang in there long enough, they will eventually come to the place where they are no longer depressed!

This is a miracle from God, a way out established by God, because depression will eventually heal on its own. I have seen this with my own eyes more than once! However, they will still need to get Godly help, otherwise the depression may return. We must always get to the root cause of our issues, so that we are able to eradicate the problem completely!

If you are feeling that you want to escape from the anxiety, and the depressed feelings that you have been experiencing, please know that you are not the only one that has ever felt this way. In fact, King David, who God called, ‘A man after God’s own heart,’ was familiar with what you’re feeling. Here is what Psalm 55 says, Israel’s greatest king wrote at a moment when he appeared to be very depressed: “My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah! I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” David wrote this Psalm during a rebellion in Jerusalem caused by his son Absalom, who wanted to overthrow the king and make himself Israel’s king. David’s circumstance was made even more painful when he was betrayed by his very close friend with whom he walked and prayed often. He was the last person the king expected to turn against him. And now his life was in danger! What did he do as it seemed he would lose his mind and everything else? He turned to the only one that can truly help us in times of trouble. There are some professionals who can help us find temporary relief that may even last for years. But the Lord God is the One from whom real and truly lasting help comes. David turned to Him, praying morning, noon, and night! His decision to choose life by turning to God saved his throne. Here is what he said. “As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me…. Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Many of us at various times have felt like abandoning life on this earth. But when we turned to the Lord, He rescued us. He wants to rescue you also. Turn to Him today!

Now here is my closing question to you: What does ‘choose life’ really mean? To the one who is debating whether to end their life, the answer to this question may seem difficult at this time! But the Lord will help make it simple as time goes by. Choosing life means putting away thoughts of ending it all. It means suppressing these thoughts, and making a conscious choice to live on! But to all human beings, choosing life can mean much, much more!

You see, there is a double meaning to this suggestion. Choosing life also means to make a choice to love God, and to serve Him, because Christ His Son died for us so that we do not have to die an eternal death. Scripture tells us God’s Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Choosing life therefore means, ‘I should decide to live on for the blessings of God.’

If instead, we choose death, it means we are choosing not to love God! We are choosing not to follow His Son Jesus. Choosing death is a person’s decision not to believe that He is all about life! We are saying serving Him is too difficult. When we reject life, we reject God, and choose to love evil, even though that may not be our intent. In which case we will incur curses instead of blessings! Therefore, choose life, and obedience to God, and you will be eternally blessed! God will help in the nick of time! He promises you that you will live and reign with Christ forever!

Here is how it is recommended that you deal with suicidal thoughts: Simply distract yourself! You may find it difficult or even impossible to get away from your suicidal thoughts or why you feel the way you do. If you focus on these thoughts, they may become stronger, and even more difficult to cope with. The best thing therefore, is to try to do things that will distract you. Reading the Word of God may be the most powerful distraction. Or it is suggested you think about what you enjoy doing most. Focus on that if it is healthy activity!

Do not wait for someone to notice: If your struggle persists, please do not wait for someone to reach out to you, perhaps no one may have noticed your struggle. It is not that no one cares Seek spiritual guidance from a qualified Christian counselor, guidance counselor, your pastor or a truly wise trusted friend who believes in Jesus Christ! This person should be someone who has been through something and has prevailed.

Call the suicide hotline in your country. Be brave and tell them about your suicidal thoughts. The experts say it is a good idea to try to, handle yourself in this situation, the way you would advise someone else who you felt was in need of your help.

[FOR HELP: In the Bahamas 242)322-2763 or 422-2763; free calls in the US call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org there are other #’s also; from anywhere in the world call: Samaritans @ 116 123]

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, you should seek out wise help as soon as possible. Especially if the behavior is new and unusual for yourself or for this person, and it has even increased recently.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 NKJV

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trust in You.