Suicidal Thoughts

When you have a little time, please visit my website JohnCatoir.com, and scroll down past the white cross, then click on the left side under my portrait and view my VIDEO interview on the topic of Spiritual Joy. It has a section on suicidal thoughts, that has helped a lot of people.

Suicidal Thoughts

One lady who was overwhelmed with despair at first didn’t want to have anything to do with a priest. She was lost at the bottom of a pit and saw no way out. Nevertheless, there was a way out. She found out slowly that safety, freedom, and happiness were all waiting for her as soon as she discovered the escape hatch. A new life and a new love were just around the corner. She prayed and received the grace to reverse her thinking. In time she lived to discover great peace and happiness.

Once she decided to spend a little time with this Video of mine, she gradually came to understand that all the good things of life can be regained, once you open your eyes to the Love of God, and exercise a little patience.

Clear your Mind of Self-Sabotage

I explain how to clear your mind of self-sabotage. If you’ve read my columns over the years, you’ll recognize my line of reasoning. First, I lay the groundwork for joy to begin the liberation process. Slowly the suicidal thoughts begin to lose their power. Remember, I ran a drug and alcohol rehab for a few years, and I know what I’m talking about.

This white sands rehab facility offered two-pronged strategy begins with the pursuit of spiritual joy and proceeds with the rejection of deadly, self-destructive thoughts. One of the first things you need to grasp is the fact that you are not your thoughts. You are the observer of your thoughts. More precisely, you can reject the phony belief that you have no choice. You really want liberation, not death. Suicide is permanent and it has eternal consequences. You have been deceived. It’s no solution; only a knee-jerk reaction.  Delete suicide from your mind.

Joy Can Be Yours

You are destined for happiness, here and hereafter. With God’s help, happiness can be yours once again. It takes an act of the will to persevere in praying for God’s grace to enable you to change your direction. Millions of desperate souls have done it successfully over the centuries, and so can you.

I explain the process of renewal in my video. I promise it will lead you to a happier life. Keep in mind, if you do decide to take your life you’ll be putting a blight on the conscience of everyone who ever cared about you, especially your parents and relatives living and dead. Also, you’ll be setting a terrible example for your children and grandchildren. Let your final act be one of heroism, not despair.

    “Don’t be afraid,” said the Lord.” Those words appear 365 times in the Bible. It means that you have the power to banish needless anxiety.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,/For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me. (Psalm 55:18)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,/ But a good word makes it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)

Yet those who wait for the Lord/ Will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,/ They will walk and not become weary. ( Isaiah 40:31)

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. (Matthew 6:34)

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. Sodo not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ( Matthew 10:28-31)

The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. (Luke 10:41-42)

Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Jesus would never have promised to be your strength and your joy if He didn’t intend to follow through. You have the power to imagine yourself as a hero or heroine.

You can choose to be Joan of Arc or the Angel Gabriel. there are Many quotes from the saints which address depression and anxiety which can offer us encouragement:

If we have any natural defect, either in mind or body, let us not grieve and feel sorry for ourselves. Who can tell whether, if we had been given a larger share of ability or stronger health, or greater wealth, we would have possessed them to the destruction of our soul! (St. Alphonsus Liquori)

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones, shield your joyous ones. And all for love’s sake. ( St. Augustine of Hippo)

And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross. ( St. Catherine of Sienna)

Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me. (St. Clare of Assisi)

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? (St. Gerard Majella)

Do not have any anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you.    (St. John the Baptist de La Salle)

If certain thoughts bother you, it is devil who causes you to worry, and not God, Who, being the spirit of peace, grants you tranquility. (St. Padre Pio)

There are many more words of peace and comfort in the Bible and from saints. Be a winner for all eternity. Just around the corner of the dark tunnel, you might be in, there’s an underground railway ready to whisk you away to freedom, refreshment, and healing. Believe the Lord Jesus who said, “Fear is useless, what you need is trust.”-Luke 8:50.

By Father John Catoir JCD