According to World Health Organization, approximately 800,000 people died due to suicide annually worldwide or equivalent to one person every 40 seconds. When further investigated, majority of these people left a suicide notes with the subject matter related to hopelessness. The absence of hope usually resulted to depression, despair and severe anxiety attacks. These circumstances eventually led these people to end their precious lives.
Years ago, one of the students of a reputable university committed suicide due to personal problem she cannot handle. Some critics blamed the parents for negligence and failure to prepare her in facing the hard realities of life. Almost in the same period, sad to hear that one of our relatives opted to end his life for unknown reason. This simply means that everybody has been facing difficult days and some back down in the process. As long as we are living in this fallen world, we have to face these challenges squarely.
Through the demographic information provided by WordPress, the Man and The Word blog reached as far as United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hongkong, Australia, Japan and other parts of the globe. With this data, it is safe to assume that majority of the readers are Filipinos working and living abroad. Due to lack of local job opportunities that would provide a decent living for their families, majority of our “kababayans” opted to work overseas. This not so ideal situation made our Filipina domestic helpers vulnerable to abuse, increased the number of philandering husbands and spouses, more defenseless children susceptible to drug dependency and increased data on dysfunctional families in the country. Not to mention, the negative impact to the mental health of our OFW’s affected by these complicated conditions. My ardent desire is to reach-out for our struggling “kababayans” across the globe by providing hope and encouragement through the power of the Word of God. If you belong in this category, there is life beyond what you are facing now.
Please allow me to share how I survived the Spartan-like life as a PMA cadet and one of the difficult trainings in the Armed Forces, the Navy SEAL course. The basic technique that I learned as a first year cadet and later refined during the SEAL training was turning the big goals into chunks of manageable activities. So, my goal during those difficult training days was to live one day at a time. Time runs so fast without me knowing and by the grace of God, I endured and graduated with flying colors from these rigorous trainings. It is also applicable to any type of goal or undertaking. For instance, we signed a 3–year contract abroad, pursue a graduate school program (masters or PhD), establish a business venture, put-up a dream house or any endeavor. We will not be overwhelmed if we will divide the said gargantuan task into manageable activities and implement it, one step at a time.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” What a wonderful advice from the wisest man during his time. It is another story if we have a support group or friends where we can openly pour-out our problems, struggles and heartaches. Aside from your wife, ask and pray to God for a good friend. Of course not a member of the opposite sex, instead of addressing the problem, you might end-up courting another disaster. In the Bible, Naomi has Ruth, Elijah had Elisha and David had Jonathan as companion friend. As what Chuck Swindoll once said on accountability, “They are mutual encouragement when they are weak, mutual support when they are vulnerable and mutual protection when they are attacked.” Find someone whom you trust as prayer partner and friend.
Finally, when we are down and facing impossible problem and crisis in life, may the message of the song entitled, I’ve Found a Friend, oh, Such a Friend, will minister to us.
“I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever.”
Be assured that we have a faithful friend willing to accept and embrace us despite our dark past, our weaknesses and all mistakes. Remember, he is just a call away. So, don’t give up, just hold on! ( Huwag bumigay, kapit lang!) don’t become part of the increasing suicide statistics. Amen!
Man And The Word 