This past week several news outlets described the struggle Japan is facing with suicide. Government statistics in Japan revealed that suicide claimed more lives in October alone than COVID-19 has over the entire year to date. The monthly number of Japanese suicides rose to 2,153 in October alone. The United States faces a struggle as well; in 2018 the U.S. reported a total of 48,344 suicides and 1.4 million attempts. Suicide is a concern that needs to be met head on.

The reason people end their lives or attempt to, varies; many struggle with feeling overwhelmed with seemingly no hope for a change. There doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of a dark tunnel. They feel overtaken by some tragedy, worries or fear. Sometimes there is the feeling of failure in life, or the feeling that death is the only way to end a horrible situation they are in.

However horrible a situation may be, and no matter how many adversities come, and there will be many, there is hope and help! When Jesus was crucified, His followers fell into despair believing that, that was the end of all their hopes and dreams; their lives were shattered! Then came the third day and with it came the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Jesus walked out of the tomb having all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus was alive! As His disciples began to encounter the risen Lord, seeing Him and hearing Him speak, something new and wonderful began to fill their hearts. Hope came alive, bringing a genuine deep sense of goodness and life. A genuine relationship with Jesus Christ through faith can bring about a change! Yielding our life to Him and asking Him into our lives and asking Him to forgive and cleanse our hearts from sin, is a starting point that produces a change engineered by heaven itself! ]Millions and millions all around the world have found this same hope and help through Jesus Christ. It’s my prayer that all of us will find this same living hope in Him.

God’s Word tells us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philp. 4:6-7