41 - Marta - "I think suicide is the only way to escape my pain"
“I had a rough week, and I tried to end my life on March 29,2016 but I failed. I will try again this Monday April 4, 2016”
Finding Hope in the Depths of Despair: A Testimony of God's Grace
Are you struggling with despair so deep that life seems unbearable, like Marta, in today’s recording, who had suffered years of emotional and sexual abuse? Do you feel like the only way out is to end it all? Dear friend, please know that you are not alone, and there is hope. In this devotional, we'll explore a powerful testimony of God's grace, in India, that can offer you comfort and strength in your darkest moments.
Persis, a woman who experienced profound pain and suicidal thoughts after her father’s death, shares her story. She recalls, "My father died when I was twelve…It looked to me like the pain would never go away." The despair was so overwhelming that she attempted suicide. Yet, God intervened. He not only spared her life but also miraculously took away the pain. Persis recounts, "God took away that pain… the pain entirely disappeared."
Persis later faced another agonizing situation: a relationship that caused deep emotional distress. She prayed and fasted, desperately seeking God's intervention, but the outcome was not what she expected. She confessed, "God…if you're not listening to my prayers and there is no hope for me in this life…I might end my life." Yet even in her anguish, she clung to one truth: "I trusted Him...That is the thing only saved me."
This act of trust transformed her life. Through seeking God in the Bible, trusted sermons, and prayer, Persis found the peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). God, in His infinite wisdom, used her circumstances to draw her closer to Himself. He answered her prayers, not in the way she anticipated, but in a way that ultimately brought her unimaginable joy.
Just as Jesus reached out to the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-30), He extends His hand to you today. If you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, call out to Jesus. "Confess those sins to God and say, 'Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you came and that you died on the cross…Save me, Lord Jesus Christ.'" Keep calling out to Him, for He promises to be there for you and show Himself strong on your behalf. His grace is sufficient, and His love endures forever. Just as He transformed the lives of many others, He can redeem your pain and bring you into a life of joy and purpose.
