Suicide

With head bowed low as if he was praying, this middle-aged inmate sat on the blue chair, anxious and a few beads of sweats glistened on his wrinkled forehead. He wasn’t sure why he was called to the Clinic. With both wrists handcuffed, it made him more uneasy as he could barely move and started complaining of left shoulder and left wrist pain.


Facing him, I lifted his shirt to find a well-healed scar that ran from the top of his left shoulder down to the front of that joint. Grimacing a little bit as I asked him to move forward, it was really difficult for him to move around.


Not sensing any danger or threat, I had requested the deputy if it was okay to undo the handcuff. He immediately took it off upon my request.


“Ahhh…Thank you nurse! That’s better! It really hurt me. I had a previous surgery on my left shoulder when I had an accident one time,” his face still filled with doubts as to why he was summoned to be seen by the nursing staff.


“I know, Sir. I’m glad you told me. Do you know why you’re here?” I politely asked.


“Hmm..Not really Ma’am. But I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going on,” he replied.


“Sir, you had put a sick call request saying that you wanted to kill yourself.”


“What?,” an astonished answer echoed. “How did it sound with what I wrote?,” he asked.


“What do you mean what did it say? You’re the one who wrote it, right? Not unless someone else did it for you?” I queried with the determination to find out if another inmate was playing a joke on this poor, anxious man.


“What did it say again, Ma’am?”


“That you wanted to kill yourself!,” I patiently repeated.


“I am so sorry, Ma’am. I don’t really know how to read and write. I could not find anyone to help me write for me so I tried my best. My real problem was that I had been having nightmares since I got here. I was also hearing voices telling me not to sleep. So, those sleepless nights…they’re killing me!!!,” he explained. “I don’t have any intention to hurt myself,” he pled strongly with a direct eye to eye contact.


I glanced at the square note. It read: “Keent slip. I nid hellp. Kill meee.”


I couldn’t help but smile, until a soft laughter ensued. Not to make fun of him but a smile of relief that he was not really suicidal. He must have sensed that I believed in him then. I saw him became more relaxed at the corner of my eye. I heard him laugh softly, accompanying mine.


“Sir, it’s okay if you can’t read or write and that we misunderstood this request. But here, we take “suicidal ideations” seriously. I had asked your unit to bring you down to make sure that you don’t have any intention to hurt yourself. Because we’re here to help you and not allow you to do that. Sometimes, it may feel that there is no hope and help for others, but there is help available.”


“No, Ma’am. I am in no way planning to kill myself. But thank you for checking with me and being concerned,” his eyes now wrinkled from the smile he managed to give time to time.


“Well, how about this…I’ll go ahead and give you something for pain for your shoulder and wrist. But I will still have someone from Mental Health Services evaluate you so they can help you with your nightmares or anxiety attacks.”


He replied, “Thank you. I was so scared earlier not knowing what’s going on. I think I was so scared that I was praying. Thank you again. I appreciate that you did take care of my other true problems.”


The deputy escorted him back to his unit. But his wrists were without a handcuff this time. The anxious look earlier now replaced with relief and a little laughter that echoed for a few minutes.



“Suicide!” It is a big issue in the jail. When someone declares that intention, he/she is placed in a special place where they can be monitored 24/7 until the Mental Health doctor evaluates and treats them. They get released back to general population if the doctor gives an order to release them if he feels that they are mentally stable.

Suicide is what we commit when we are far from what God had willed for us. We hurt ourselves by depriving of being useful for Him. We commit spiritual suicide when we allow bad circumstances to empower us, instead of His strength and guidance to help us succeed in this life’s journey.

Apart from God, we are just existing, living a meaningless life. Our hearts are void of joy, joy that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ.

Let us not end the works marked for each of us. And we can live victoriously… if we know His will: to be joyful, prayerful and thankful.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is GOD’s WILL for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

John 10:10 - Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”

John 8:51 - Jesus said, “I assure you, anyone who obeys My teaching will never die!”

Romans 6:6-11 - “Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life. We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.”


When nothing makes sense and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take our eyes off any difficulties and look to God. Let us LIVE...and be joyful.


29 comments:

  1. What a meaningful job you have. I am sure you have had several inmates wanting to commit suicide. Hopefully with God by your side you can help heal these inmates both physically and spiritually.

    Steve,

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  2. I'll be that man was relieved! How perceptive of you to pick up on some of the subtle cues that you did. I would like to use this story in a sermon sometime if that is ok. wb

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  3. I am thankful this inmate did not intend to commit suicide. You touch so many lives for Christ. I am confident HE is seen brightly in you on a daily basis. Your light shines through this blog so beautifully and powerfully. God IS doing a great work in you, my friend.

    In HIS grip, andrea

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  4. As one who lost her baby brother to suicide in 1994 at his young age of 23--a loving husband, father and man who served his country - I can tell you with pain still in my heart that I'm glad this man did not intend to take his life!

    God bless you as you serve HIM.

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  5. you are an amazing encouragment to me. Check out my post because I wrote if after I read yours. Thank you for being you. I love your blog. And your awesome spirit. Sarah

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  6. Rosel,

    What a relief that he did not intend on suicide and was humble in his time with you. You again are such a gift to those you touch and I can only imagine this mans peace as he found such a kind person who understood him and his situation. You saw him just as he is.....the same way the Lord sees us.

    What an inspiration you are, a godly example and I have no doubt those who witness this are moved as the HOLY Spirit does HIS work through you each and every day!

    love you

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  7. Rosel,

    I would guess that it is something you not only see but hear about a lot where you work. I am so thankful that God has placed you where He has and given you that wonderful gift of insight into seeing beyond the physical to the spiritual needs of your patients.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  8. @ bro. Steve: Sadly, yes, there are lots of them wanting to commit it thinking that it is the only way out...out of whatever misery they're in. But most of them, they had done it to themselves because of substance abuse. God bless you.

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  9. @ bro. Warren: You bet he was! It's usually inappropriate to see a staff member and an inmate laugh together but at that time, it was more of our understanding and relief together to find out that he wasn't really suicidal. It is good to laugh with another "person" who the Lord loves, too. You don't need to ask me. It is a privilege to have my writing be used for the Lord's glory. Thank you. God bless.

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  10. @ sister Andrea: It surely was great to know that his intention was not true. And I'm so thankful to the Lord for guiding me always. Had I not called him, he would have been misinterpreted by others because sometimes, even if they were playing around, they would still be put in suicide watch but that will anger the inmates more. So, to God be the glory and please keep me in your prayers. Thank you and God bless.

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  11. @ sister Lisa: I'm sorry to her about your brother. Suicide is an awful thing. For we know we can never turn around once we've done it. Praying for God's comfort to cover you and your family and your brother's family. God bless.

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  12. @ sister Sarah: You will never know how much you encourage me more after reading what you posted today...Because no one else can read someone else's heart and mind but the Lord, and after reading what you just shared, the more I'm asking God now to continue to guide me and use me to help those hurting ones that are often ridiculed by this world. Thank you for your visits. I love having you here on this road "off the beaten trek" :) God bless.

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  13. @ sister Loren: I don't typically laugh with inmates just like that. I'm usually proper, serious and don't joke around. I try not to have a long conversation and talk with short words. But at that time, we both loosened up. It's good to make a hurting soul feel that they are not despised just because they can't read or write. To God be the glory! Keeping you in prayers. God bless and love you in Christ.

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  14. @ sister Kat: It's very unfortunate that everyday is a busy day for nurses evaluating suicidal inmates. Some are playing around, some have true psych issues, others with substance abuse that distort their perception. I am thankful God is always with me as I seek for His guidance and wisdom because it's not easy...But much lighter when He's around :) Blessings.

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  15. I so very much appreciate your caring heart for others. I love you sweet sister.

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  16. It is so amazing to me the wisdom that pours forth from your life. It is quite evident that you spend a lot of time with Wisdom Himself because you can't make it happen. It is something that grows in the life of those who ask for it. Keep asking Rosel, Wisdom in you is making a big difference in many people's lives.

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  17. @sister Denise: Thank you for being a great prayer intercessor! Blessings and love to you.

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  18. @ sister Christy: Without Him, we are nothing...So, glory to God! The Author of Wisdom! God bless.

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  19. God bless that man. Can you imagine trying to live in the world without reading and writing? There would be a LOT of room for misunderstandings.

    Those men are so blessed to have you!
    b

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  20. @ sister Beth: I hope and pray that he will not be getting into any trouble from other inmates because of him being that way. I'm actually the one blessed every time the Lord puts someone into my path. Blessings.

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  21. I'm so glad that it was just a big misunderstanding with this inmate. I was relieved too when you wrote about the laugh you two shared. I hope this man felt and saw your kindess and received a touch from the Lord today. Thank you for your obedience to minister hope and healing. Love you!

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  22. @ sister Mary: Me, too. So glad that it turned out that way. The Lord is good...all the time...Love you in Christ and God bless.

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  23. It is nice to know there is someone like you offering hope in an often hopeless place.

    I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for the reminder of the strength God offers.

    Be Blessed!

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  24. I know you are a comfort to those patients. Loved the video ~

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  25. I am glad there was no suicide happened. May God bless that man. Thanks for sharing this to us, Rcubes. :)

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  26. I love the way you love people. You have a way of making people feel like they have value.

    And this: "Let us not end the works marked for each of us." ... What a word of hope for those who might be contemplating suicide.

    You're a blessing to many -- inside prison walls and here on "the outside."

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  27. @ sisters Susan, Cathy, Grace, Kelly and Jennifer: Thanks you guys for visiting me and encouraging me :) God bless you all.

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  28. It is so clear that you are exactly where God would have you to be! And that He is using your words here for His glory and purposes as well. I pray for you often - that God would continue to protect you as you serve and that you would have daily opportunities to shine brightly for Him. Your willingness is a bright light to all of us!

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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