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| Waterfalls in Oregon, photo by Jean Ann Williams |
The Psalmist says in verse 119:87~
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
What is a precept you may ask? I had to look this up to be sure, but in short anything in God's Word is a precept. The Latin claims it means to teach, instruct, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.
When God says to do this or that it's a precept.
I write this to bring up the topic of Robin Williams's suicide. In the first part of Psalms 119:87, they can mean anything of the world that is wrong and not of our loving Heavenly Father.
The world when it is wrong can consume us unto death.
What if a victim of suicide was taking prescription medications like SSRIs? I don't know if Robin Williams was taking SSRIs, but my son was. Now Joshua is no longer here with us.
When I heard Robin Williams died by suicide I cried. I enjoyed how he was able to make me laugh, especially when I needed to laugh after my own child died as Robin had. Robin blessed me in a tiny way amidst a horrific tidal wave of grief.
There is an article written by Jessica Firger of CBS News that I've linked below that talks about SSRIs on paragraph eleven. Part of that quote talks about treating severe depression with medications: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers that people who take SSRIs may have an increased risk for attempting suicide."
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/robin-williams-death-highlights-challenge-of-treating-severe-depression/ is the link to the Robin Williams article and SSRIs.
What columnist Jessica Firger is saying about SSRIs is what I've read in many articles and some books. It is also what a doctor that was an acquaintance of my husband's said ten years ago after our son died: SSRIs can and do kill.
In the article above, Robin Williams mentions his inability to cope with disappointments. None of us can cope well without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I've seen the difference in my own life, but of course I'll be challenged to grow spiritually all my life.
It is my prayer that the CBS News article will help those suffering with depression to make informed decisions. It is a sad fact that Joshua and we his parents were not informed.
But there is hope.
God's Word has many, many scriptures that can help us focus on our Heavenly Father and get us through disappointing times. Take for example Philippians 4: 7-9, for which I memorized verse 8 to help me in the early grief years after Joshua's suicide.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Until next time . . . read God's Word the Bible, open your heart, and be blessed.
