Driving home from a funeral one day as I was listening to the radio, I heard something about suicide that shocked and saddened me. They quoted a report that said that suicide is the second biggest taker of life of those between the ages of 10 and 24. Ok, while it’s tragic at any age but a 10 year old?!?! It broke my heart. They said that the trend has been drastically going up since 2007. I’ve heard that the rate has gone up since COVID changed our world but what caused the sudden increase since 2007?

Statistics say that everyone has contemplated it at least once in their life. According to the CDC, in 2020 over 45,000 died by suicide…that’s 1 death every 11 minutes. Over 12 million adults have seriously considered it, over 3 million have actually made a plan, and 1.2 million have attempted it. Also in 2020, the rate for males was 4 times higher than females and made up nearly 80% of suicides.

I’m not here to just state facts, but to offer hope that goes beyond clinical methodology. I believe that there are good counselors who offer hope, but honestly, until we find the cure in Jesus, then most of what is happening isn’t helping the problem. You see, until the root of the issue is met with an abundantly loving and forgiving Father who brings the answers in and through His Son, then are we curing anyone or just dealing with it? I know that some have sadness and depression because of a chemical imbalance and I believe there are medicines for that, but the Truth says that that we have a Great Physician who bore stripes upon His back for our healing. That is for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing….wholeness. I’m not against medicine and I always want to get someone the help they need, but my total and complete healing is found in the work of Christ. So many times we opt for a pill when what we need is the Blood.

Many years ago a sit-com had the theme song called Suicide Is Painless. First, it isn’t painless for the one going through the problem. Second, for those left behind, it isn’t painless either. I don’t believe that this is an issue that can just be dismissed or tossed to the side. We don’t know sometimes that the ones closest to us are even thinking about it. Maybe your spouse or parent or child is thinking about it right now. Maybe your best friend has thoughts that they won’t even share with you. Maybe it’s you who has been tossing the idea around in your head. The first thing you need to know is that whatever the situation is, you are loved! It may seem like you don’t have anyone who loves you enough to listen and not judge you. Here at The Balm Of Gilead, we love you. You are not alone. While people may not have the specific answer to your problem, I believe in the power of the risen Savior. The one who defied death, hell, and the grave. The One whose blood can make you whole. JESUS!!!