And For this week’s Monday Minute, Kelli brings a powerful message about how no matter what we face in this world, we always have hope because God restores. Please be warned this post covers the topic of suicide in our military community.
Hope Because God Restores
by Kelli Baker
Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it is far too often overlooked. Nearly 17 service members die at their own hands each day.(1) Over 6,000 military families are torn apart by suicide each year. All because of preventable death.
Have you ever felt such a deep depression that you contemplated living?
You are not alone. The 2019 VA Suicide prevention annual report mentions that the rate for women veterans is 2.2 times greater than that of their civilian counterparts (1). Many women are silently suffering, but the Lord calls us to bring our sorrow to his feet. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” He wants us to pour our hearts out to him.
Remember God is with you and promises to never leave you.
The pain and agony you may feel or have dealt with do not go unnoticed by God. Even when you feel like he is nowhere to be found, take heart, my dear sister, for he is with you. He promises to never leave you or forsake you. God wants to be your comfort in those times of desperation, just call out to him.
Take a look at Job, a righteous man, who once had it all. The Bible says he was a righteous man with a great family, success in the community, power, and authority. When he was at his worst, God was there with him. Job wrestled with God and questioned him. “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not?” (Job 4:20-21a). God allowed the enemy to take everything from Job, sparing only his life.
Yet he remained with Job through it all.
Job knew this and continued to remain faithful, even amid his despair. “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation.” (Job 13:15-16a). Job knew that even though God allowed this to happen, he would also deliver and restore him.
Finally, after several attempts of Job’s seeking God to no avail, God responds to Job. He is gentle, yet firm in his response. He reiterates that Job is blameless; however, he calls Job to pray for his three friends and he will be restored. We learn Job is blessed tenfold for enduring and persevering through his suffering. God restored Job.
Our Father is a God who restores.
He’s shown us in his word from the very beginning that he is in the business of restoring! He restored Adam and Eve after the fall. And he restored Cain after he slaughtered his brother. He restored the world through Noah. He restored Job. And he restored Abram and Sarai from Pharaoh. He restored the Israelites. This only scratches the surface of the lives he restored before Christ.
Through Christ, we have been restored! Praise God we have a Father who abides in us so that we may have freedom from ourselves. The enemy attacks the mind, but through fervent prayer and time meditating on God’s Word we can build a strong foundation to stand on and defeat our enemy.
We are not fighting flesh and blood.
Our battle is against the principalities of this world. We must arm ourselves for this battle. Jesus said to have faith the size of a mustard seed. That’s all it takes to know that the Lord will see you through this season. He is a God who restores and he wants to restore you. Continually pray for the renewing of your mind in Christ Jesus so that you can persevere through this trial and tribulation.
Trust and believe that God is faithful to his people.
He can and will restore. He has done it before and will do it again. Hold on to the promises of a Father who loves you so deeply that he sent his Son so that you might be saved. Saved from the bondage of sin! Let those chains fall at the feet of Jesus and rely on him to deliver you.
If you are struggling to the point where you have considered suicide, I encourage and even urge you to seek professional help. You are just as worthy of receiving the care for your mental health as you are for a physical ailment. Do not be ashamed. You are so deeply loved, my friend. You are important and you are needed. Reach out and talk to someone.
As a survivor of a mother who committed suicide, I can tell you first hand that it’s not worth it. You are loved and needed. When you feel as though you are unappreciated or that no one would notice if you were gone, that’s wrong. The enemy is attacking your mind, do not waiver as you fight back.
If you know someone who is struggling, physically take their hand and walk alongside them as they receive the care they need. That person needs to know you are there for them and you care for them. They don’t need advice, just be there.
There is always hope, because God restores.
Move Out
Read: Job; Psalm 62
Reflect: Are you feeling weary or desperate? Write these feelings to the Lord and share with him your deepest darkest pains and sorrows. Allow him to comfort you.
Respond: Seek professional help if you are struggling. If you know someone who is struggling, walk alongside them as they seek help. Be there for them in their time of need.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you for your promise to never leave us or forsake us. Please give us the strength and courage to fight this battle in our minds. Help up to find peace and rest in you, Lord. Amen.
Additional Resources
Stopping Military and Veteran Suicides by the American Psychological Association
If you or someone you know needs prayer, please don’t hesitate to reach our to the Planting Roots Prayer team and submit your request.
