Suicide and the Maronite faith

Friends with hope remind us that at times we can forget God is in our midst but that in reality God is present to us as hope through our friends, family and the church. 

As Maronites we are strong believers in Jesus and the message of the Bible. What we are not so familiar with is what the Bible can tell us about life. So perhaps by quoting some passages from scripture we may be able to become familiar with God’s Word and use it as a source of strength for ourselves and as words of comfort to those who need a new outlook in life.

We must never forget that God has said to us ‘I have called you by your name, you are mine’ (Is 43:1). When we know we are God’s chosen, every single one of us, then we are called to make the most of the gift of life, ‘I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life’ (Dt 30:19). Yes, choose life! God asks you to choose life and not death. In whatever you do, choose to make the most of it and bring meaning to it. Life is to be lived, loved and treasured.

Those who contemplate suicide are often very depressed about life, darkness seems to pervade their minds and meaning seems to have been lost. At these times we should remember the famous footprint prayer and that ‘The Lord your God carried you, just as one carries a child’ (Dt 1:31). Do not be afraid to approach God in your darkest moments. In fact Jesus is there waiting to enter and lift you up, ‘Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me’ (Rev 3:20).

So as a Maronite Church let us be people of hope. The Maronites have a long persecuted history, yet despite all the setbacks they have remained faithful to God. This is because we as Maronites know God is with us, ‘I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palm of my hands’ (Is 49:16).

Sr Margaret Ghosn MSHF

6/3/2007

The church is always a good place to turn when life is overwhelming and one is in need of spiritual guidance. What may be a great obstacle for us on our own, is never what it seems when we allow God to intervene. God gave us life. God knows our destiny. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to save us from our sins. Nothing we could do could ever take his love for us away. This may be really hard to believe, because we as humans find it really difficult to love and forgive each other and ourselves; but this is the ultimate truth. If you feel none of the above makes sense, or it makes more sense that you could ever believe, I would strongly recommend contacting your local parish priest to help you resolve any problems you may have, through God’s guidance. Alternately, have a look through the references below for possible answers in God’s Scripture’s.

Life, A Religious Touch 

Ref: KJV Bible (The Gideons International In Australia)

Where to Find Help When: 

1. Hopeless:                             1 Peter 2:17                 Pg. 421

2. Depressed:                          Psalm 34                      Pg. 497 

3. Discouraged:                       Psalm 23                      Pg. 489

4. Facing a Crisis:                    Psalm 121                    Pg. 575

                                                Matt. 6:25-34              Pg. 10 

5. Lonely:                                Psalm 23                      Pg. 489

6. Needing Guidance:             Psalm 32:8                   Pg. 496

                                                Prov 3:5, 6                   Pg. 595 

7. Needing Peace:                   John 14:1-4                 Pg. 199

                                                Rom 5:1-5                   Pg. 284

8. Needing Rules for Living:  Romans 12                  Pg. 296 

9. In Trouble:                          Psalm 16                      Pg. 482

                                                Psalm 31                      Pg. 494

Teachings About Some of Life’s Problems: 

10. Doubt:                               Matt. 14:28-31                        Pg. 28

Christian Virtues And Character: Ephesians 4:22-24 & 2 Peter 3:18 

11. Courage:                            Psalm 27:14                 Pg. 492

12. Endurance:                        Luke 21:9-19               Pg. 155

                                                2 Tim. 2:3                    Pg. 387 

13. Abundant Life:                 John 10:10                   Pg. 190

14. Freedom:                           John 8: 31-36              Pg. 185 

15. Happiness:                         Matt. 5:3-12                Pg. 6

16. Joy:                                    Luke 10:20                  Pg. 129

                                                John 15:11                   Pg. 201 

17. Peacefulness:                     John 14:27                   Pg. 200

                                                Rom. 12:18                 Pg. 297

18. Perseverance:                    Mark 13:5-13              Pg. 91

God’s Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes,

Which God gave me to hold.
He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold.”

I heeded his words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day,

The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,

Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused,
“I wonder where my sorrows could be!”
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
“My child, they’re all here with me..”

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
“My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,

The black is for you to let go.”

The Christian Alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame.
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know.
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee.
Move out of “Camp Complaining”
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone.
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start everyday with worship
To “thank “ is a command.
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We’ll run the race with gratitude
eXalting God most high.
Yes, there will be good times and yes some will be sad, but
Zion waits in glory, where none are ever sad!