What about Suicide?

To live, or not to live? that is the question... Now, i'm wondering, just because i've felt like giving up before, what makes a person commit suicide? Maybe it's cause:
1) life is too stressful
2) People treat you like they wish you weren't alive
3) Satan's feeding you a lie that you're not going to make it through
4) there is too much pain inside, you could not possibly get over it
5) hormones?
6) parents
7) anger/grief/regrets that you don't want to live with/convictions that you
don't want to deal with

whatever it may be, life isn't easy... Whenever I post something, i'm going to bring up my blog name : 1 Life 1 Purpose... I'm convinced somtimes that the only reason I am here is to Serve the Lord... and maybe that's why I don't give up.... because God's got a plan, and I can't just throw that out of the way when I am considering all of the reasons why living isn't "worth it." Now, don't get me wrong, I don't actually think that I would commit such an act, but I'm pretty sure that many people think about this, and get into those situations where they feel like giving up... I don't think that there are any simple solutions here, but I do believe in hope, and pushing onward to the goal, no matter how hard it may seem... there's got to be something better coming along.. and God promises that.. He tells us that he will make a way, that there is a time for mourning, and a time for joy... If we endure the tests he has for us, we will see in the end that they are only there to mold us, and to make us stronger... And that, my friends, is why we live... 1 To glorify God, and 2 To be molded... Being a Christian includes hard times, struggles, fighting temptations, and pushing onward toward the Goal that God has set for us... There is so much more I could say, but I hope this can be an encouragement for anyone facing hard times... I can't say that you shouldn't feel like giving up, but rather that you shouldn't give up... because to feel like giving up is normal, but letting it control you and the way you act towards the feeling, well, that is called "letting Satan take charge." Don't give up... Weep, mourn, and cry to Jesus, and he will hear you, even if it seems like he is distant, he is near, and will reveal himself in due time.... In Christ,
Lauren

Christains vs. non-Christians

Romans 6:1-14/ Dead to sin, Alive in Christ"What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that Grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; How can we live in it any longer? Ok, so I'm wondering what you all think the difference is b/t Christians and non-Christians... not just what sets us apart from the rest of the world, but also, how we differ, or should differ, in the way we live... some people say that the only difference b/t the two is that Christians are going to Heaven, and everyone else is just going to burn in hell..... is that it?? please tell me not... If you think that Jesus died on the cross to watch us act like the rest of the world, and to live our "new life" in him, the same way we lived our "old life," then tell me why.. i'd love to pray for you.... Now I don't mean to be hypocritical, but Christians are supposed to keep each other accountable, and during our teen years, we're so susceptible to the lies that Satan and our peers feed us... God's grace is amazing, yes, but our sin is not... Paul tells us that we are to turn from our old ways, and explains how God's grace is something we often take advantage of... I'm curious to know what exactly sets you, personally, apart from the rest of your non-Christian friends.. Or if you're not a Christian, how similarly your Christian friends act around you, just to fit in... Some people, believe it or not, think that because we are saved, nothing we do will be judged... Wrong! So many people take advantage of this gift of "Christ's death for our Living"... It says that we were given a new life... "For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin... therefore, when people continue to live in their sin, it is questionable whether they have really thrown out their old self... Don't get me wrong, we all struggle, but I think that Once you've made Jesus your all in all, You put those struggles behind you, and make the choice to abstain from these things that hinder you... (there's got to be some kind of self-discipline.. Christianity isn't easy, was never meant to be)... Let me know where you stand on this issue.... i'm open for discussion....