Martyrdom can be noble. Indeed, many of the early church mothers and fathers were heroes. To give one's life for a cause bigger than one's self is a heroic act. Martin Luther King, Jr comes to mind as an example. However, if one is already having a hard time loving one's self, martyrdom can become sinister. When one is struggling with suicidal desires, martyrdom can be deadly.
The spiritual essence of martyrdom is to give one's life fully to Jesus Christ. For somebody wrestling with suicidal desires, intentionally staying alive would be a spiritual act of martyrdom.
There have been times when I've wrestled with suicidal desires. The wrestling was intense. The illness of depression made me feel as if the most loving thing I could do for everybody would be to kill myself. Fortunately, I was healthy enough to recognize that this was the disease talking and that it was not the truth. I've never been hospitalized for depression, but I have come close. During that period I was placed on some strong meds to see me through. I ballooned in weight. I still carry that weight, but it is a badge of honor. Why is it a badge of honor? Because I am still alive!
There have been times when I've wrestled with suicidal desires. The wrestling was intense. The illness of depression made me feel as if the most loving thing I could do for everybody would be to kill myself. Fortunately, I was healthy enough to recognize that this was the disease talking and that it was not the truth. I've never been hospitalized for depression, but I have come close. During that period I was placed on some strong meds to see me through. I ballooned in weight. I still carry that weight, but it is a badge of honor. Why is it a badge of honor? Because I am still alive!
If you are considering suicide, I pray that you get help. Please choose to stay alive and face the pain. This will be your martyrdom. This is your cross. I am not saying that you will go to hell if you commit suicide. That decision belongs to God, and to God alone. I am saying that this world needs you. You may not feel like it, but you have value. You are needed. By choosing life when suicide feels like your only friend, you honor God.
1 comments:
A martyr (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, "witness"; stem μάρτυρ-, mártyr-) is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce a belief, usually religious.
How was Jesus a martyr? He was crucified because the Jewish rabbis wanted him dead, not due to his own religious belief. If you read your bible you will know that they asked him if he was God and he said "I am who you say I am." He was obviously not martyred. Yes several of the deciples were martyred, but there is no celebration of martyrdom in Christianity.
I have no clue where you blog is coming from by stating that many mental health patients are suicidal because they want to be martyred in Christianity? Rediculous. Again, Christianity does not celebrate martyrdom and a suicide cannot be martyrdom. If you are truely worried about someone with this issue, hand them a dictionary 1st, then a bible.
I could see this martyrdom issue in Islam. Very huge there. Not in Christianity.
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