From John Collins Ministries:
We are in a time of the year right now, where out of all the times of the year, this is the time that more people are depressed and more people attempt or do actually commit suicide. I think we need to let people realize that no matter how bad the situation is, there is a solution – and the solution is NOT taking your own life, hurting yourself or hurting others, or doing something that you will regret in the future.
Remember, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
I know that everybody gets depressed every now and again. I think that we as Christians, we as people of the body of Christ, and just as human beings, we need to reach out to these people that are having a problem. We need to be open to listen to them with open minds and open arms, we need to do everything that we can in our power to help them. These people are real, their problems are real, nobody handles the same problem the same way as somebody else. You can’t go to somebody and say “I know what you are going through” because you don’t. They have their own individual problems and they need loved, they need held, they need talked to, they need cried with, they need sympathy and empathy, they need for people to just let them know “it’s going to be ok.” There’s a supporting cast to help you.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 (NKJV).
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they shall not overflow you.” Isaiah 43:2. (NKJV).
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (NKJV).
Remember that your tears tonight could be joy tomorrow. Let’s make sure that you are here tomorrow for that joy. Being depressed and having a mental problem isn’t a sin. There are certain things that happen in our lives. We have to overcome them, but we have to overcome them together. This is a very serious issue, so I’m telling anybody right now, if you are battling depression this time of the year, or you think that life can’t go on, you think the worst about everything, call somebody. For the love of GOD call me!!! I will be more than happy to give you as much time as you need! Call your aunt, your uncle, call whoever you need to call. But try to get your mind back right!!!
During these times of troubles, you don’t think anyone loves you. Trust me people, they love you. You think that nobody wants you, trust me, they want you, and God wants you! You’ve got to be strong right now, and courageous and the Bible says: blessed is God who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:4, NKJV).
Anybody who knows somebody, or if it’s you, prayer does help. People help. Don’t do something you will regret. You can laugh tomorrow. If you are depressed, you don’t laugh. You don’t think about tomorrow, you don’t think about your wife or your husband or your kids or your parents or your grandparents. You just think that the worst thing that can happen can happen. That’s not the truth. The truth is that there are people that love you and people that want the best for you and people out there that will help you.
I implore you right now, if you’re depressed, it’s not a sin to be depressed. It’s not something to be ashamed of. The shame is if you do something negative with it. The heroic thing is that you seek help, and you get the help that you need so tomorrow you can laugh and enjoy life.
Pastor John Collins, Love That Cross 