“The questions pertaining to suicide or mental health – these are number one questions at Christian Thinkers Society.”
Dr. Jeremiah Johnston strives to address the big questions that become a stumbling block to our faith. He looks at how we can wrestle with the painful reality of a loved one’s suicide.
Jeremiah shares the story of a women who was told that since her son, a believer, had committed suicide, was in hell. What is the biblical truth?
“The only sin that God will not forgive is the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior… Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. ”
A Christian who decides to end his or her life is no less forgiven than a Christian who lives his or her days out in health and faith.
“A Christian is not perfect; a Christian is forgiven. And even though we’re forgiven and in the Lord, it doesn’t mean that we can’t struggle with mental illness.”
Jeremiah points to a few powerful statistics to illustrate just how prevalent mental illness is.
25% of people are struggling with mental illness.
62% of people in our churches wish that their pastors would say more about mental illness.
25% of pastors today are struggling with chronic depression.
We have every reason to believe that good, godly men, who are no longer with us because they each took their life, are now with the Lord.
Nevertheless, Jeremiah has a message for those who are considering ending their life.
“Suicide is not the way out. It will destroy your family and probably wreck their faith.”
God can and does give grace for us to persevere as we wrestle with mental illness.
“Greater is He who is living in us than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Jeremiah calls Christians to be brave enough to address mental illness, known as “the invisible disease,” in the church.
Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15; Acts 19:19
Featured Songs: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman; The Truth is Still True by Chris August; All the People Said Amen by Matt Maher
