Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
We have now entered the last quarter of the year 2022. Many of us are enjoying great victories. But, on the other hand many are feeling stressed, anxious and in some cases overwhelmed. We feel trapped by circumstances, finances, relationships, employment, or the persistent chaos going on in the world around us.
In 2018 the world held its breath as 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a cave dwelling in Thailand. They swam into the dark cavern and were unable to escape. The media got involved, and soon the world was captivated by the plight of these stranded souls. In fact, the movie, “Thirteen Lives” is being released this summer dramatizing the rescue of these children.
Around the world people were praying for their safe return to the arms of their loved ones. There is something gripping about children trapped within a place from which they cannot escape. The intensity of a daring rescue always intrigues audiences.
How many of God’s children are trapped in dark places just as these children were? The real issue is are they able to see that they are really trapped. These 13 souls swam into a dark cave, unaware that they could not easily escape. How do you know you are really trapped?
When you cannot see your way out of a situation, you are trapped. The “trap,” often keeps us from enjoying the fullness of God’s best for us and we don’t realize it. We have been seduced into paths that have detoured us from our destiny in Christ, but we are unaware of the detour. We cannot see that it will be difficult to escape our dark cave. Perhaps we rationalized that the trap is just a habit, an idiosyncrasy, a personality quirk, but it is not.
The undetected “trap” is the reason David famously prayed in Psalm 139:23-24:
“Search me [thoroughly], O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
See if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Merriam Webster defines “trap” as something by which one is caught or stopped unawares; a position or situation from which it is difficult, if not impossible to escape. The Urban Dictionary has a much more contemporary counterculture definition. It cites the ghetto in Atlanta, where people are stuck in a cycle of selling drugs and hustling to survive and are therefore “trapped” and powerless to leave to make a better life.
I found the urban dictionary definition startling. The implication being that those who experience economic deprivation are characteristically “trapped” and powerless to make a better life for themselves and their families. I strenuously object to that theory with its categorical stereotyping of a group of people.
I contend that being “trapped” is a much more universal phenomenon. The problematic issue is that millions of people are blind to the traps by which they have been victimized. Drugs and hustling present one type of crisis, but there are issues that are much more lethal and insidious.
Traps can be as simple as being habitually argumentative, or litigious in communicating with others. Having to win every argument can be a trap one falls into that harms others; or it could be a penchant for robbing others of their self-esteem through domination and control. A trap could be as dark as the violent intimidation of others. We can be trapped by lies, deception and deceit as easily as we can be trapped by a failure to believe in our own success, accomplishments and victories--a persistent inferiority complex.
Feelings of anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem, thoughts of inferiority indicate a trap is present in our lives. Those traps can drag many of us to such depths that we believe they are inescapable. Too often, when individuals are victimized by traps, they see no alternatives and consider suicide.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender, financial status, or background. Moreover, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health disorder. Suicidal thoughts, though common, should not ever be considered normal, they very often indicate more serious issues.
How do we escape?
When Israel appeared to be trapped with the Egyptians on one side and the Red Sea on the other, God instructed Moses in Exodus 14:2-3, saying:
“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, “They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.””
The point is, they were to rely on God when they felt trapped, just as we should, and we should say as God told Moses, “…the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” (Exodus 14:18)
We must know that there is always a way to escape the trap!
The escape may be spiritual as well as secular. There are trained specialists who are waiting to care for you. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, don’t hesitate, call upon professional counseling services immediately. Contact your pastor or contact the Suicide Crisis Lifeline by texting 988 or you can chat at 988lifeline.org to access crisis services.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is the time we foster awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. This interval is used to shift public perception, spread hope, and share vital information to people affected by suicide ideation.
We must be vigilant about noticing those around us who appear despondent, depressed, anxious, and hopeless. If you are entertaining any ideas of suicide, call the 988 hotline immediately.
Let us pray:
Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus the Christ, asking You to forgive me of my sins. I annul ungodly covenants I have made, knowingly or unknowingly.
In Jesus’ name, I break and annul all ungodly covenants, oaths and pledges I have made with my tongue.
In Jesus’ name, I renounce and break all ungodly covenants, oaths, pledges made through my bloodline and my ancestors to idols, demons, false religions, or ungodly organizations according to Matthew 5:33
In Jesus’ name, I plead the Blood of Jesus over my mind and my body. I decree, I will live and not die. I cancel every assignment that is not from my Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ name, I declare my mind is sound according to 2 Timothy 1:7.
In Jesus’ name, I decree and declare CROP FAILURE on everything that would destroy my destiny and my family. Amen!
Don’t forget, you can call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
You can destroy the TRAP!
Amazed by His Grace
Apostle Danita H. Jones