Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Suicide and Depression and Jesus

Jarrid Wilson

This week tragedy struck the Christian community as another, young, Christian leader lost his battle with depression (read about Jarrid Wilson HERE). I didn’t know him, but the tributes that flooded my newsfeed testified of the kind man he was…kind, loving, compassionate, honest, open.

Several publications wrote of his life and work while endeavoring to shed light on the personal, internal struggles he faced.

Sadly, some took the route of the Pharisees claiming this the “unforgivable sin” and insinuated he would face eternal damnation.

I was deeply troubled by some of these claims. Without initiating meritless, theological debate, I challenge each of my fellow believers to consider the following.

1. Family members read what is posted on social media. Grieving spouses, children, parents and siblings peruse their newsfeeds and see these callous thoughts. Many families have been touched by suicide, and the negativity is anything but helpful or healing.

2. On any given day there are people we come in contact with who are struggling. This is a cruel age in which we live. Heartbroken souls are looking for hope and comfort. Social media is a medium that connects us with hurting people around the world with the click of a button. How are we using that influence?

3. None of us can really grasp what the man was struggling with. We cannot know his heart nor his struggles fully and to pass judgement on him is anything but Christlike.

May God give us a revival of love in our hearts to show compassion for the broken and hurting who surround us everyday…most of whom we do not even know about.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline:

1-800-273-8255

Derek Simonis

By Derek Simonis

First published by Derek Simonis on his Facebook page

Find out more about Derek Simonis here: SimonisProductions.com and at IconDestinations.com or call (877) 768-2606

Beyond the Song: the Hyssongs sing “Choose Life”

The Hyssongs

Jantina de Haan once again goes Beyond the Song to talk with Richard Hyssong about “Choose Life,” from the album, “Believe.” Richard sings with his parents, Dell and Susan, in the popular trio, the Hyssongs. “Choose Life” is their recent radio single and its words resonate deeply with the group.

“Choose Life has three verses that each speak to current events,” Hyssong explains. “The first verse deals with the hot topic of abortion. More recently it is being suggested that a mother can have a child, and after the baby is born the mother and doctor will discuss whether to keep the child or not. This is not a cultural or political issue, it is a biblical issue. The song strongly states, ‘Choose Life.'”

Richard continues, “The second verse deals with the subject of suicide. All of us probably have known people who have contemplated or have even take their own lives. Many are hopeless, yet we know the One who gives us hope. Again, we ‘Choose Life.'”

Rob Patz and Richard Hyssong of the Hyssongs

“The third verse is about accepting or rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. We again, ‘Choose Life’ and accept Christ,” concludes Richard.

This song is of extreme personal importance to the Hyssongs. Richard tells us why the song is such an extension of their lives.

“Our daughter was born over ten years ago. She was born with twenty-two tumors in and around her heart. She also had a massive amount of brain tumors a well. After she was born, the doctor said that she would most likely not survive, and if she did, she would never walk or talk. Many would have suggested that it would have been good to abort her, but we chose life! Today she is perfectly normal,” he exalts.

The group chose this song as their radio single because of its timely message.

We hope you enjoy this video of the Hyssongs singing, “Choose Life.” Thanks to Jantina de Haan for going Beyond the Song.

For more Gospel Music news, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE