Dear Editor,

I AM saddened when I read in the newspapers of the wanton loss of life, whether through physical violence, poor health care, road accidents, or suicide. Kindly allow me some space in your column to touch on suicide.  

Self-induced death speaks of despair, desperation, and lack of hope. We seem to have lost that God-consciousness that lets us know (1): that the God of love sees us as valuable, precious; and has a beautiful plan for our lives, despite the seemingly overwhelming problems. (2): There is hope, not only in this life, but in the life to come. (3): Life neither begins nor ends with Man. There’s a God to face at the end of the road, so I urge those who may be contemplating suicide to STOP IN YOUR TRACKS, and CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. Call on the name of the One in whose honour time itself was divided – BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini – in the year of Our Lord).

I challenge everyone who is desperate and in despair to call on the name of the Lord in their darkest hour. Simply say: “JESUS, HELP ME!” and I guarantee you that the One who stilled the storm when restless waves threatened to overturn a boat (Matthew 8:24-27) will still the storms of your life; light will break through; and help will soon be on the way…

That help may not come in the form of a supernatural visitation; it may be the neighbour next door, or the friend on the end of the telephone line, waiting to lend an ear or give a helping hand.

Many from different religions have called on that Name and have found healing and hope! May God grant you the grace to call on Him in that midnight hour.

Regards,
CLAUDIA HEYWOOD