So yesterday, we noted the importance of mentoring and (hopefully) committed to mentoring at least one person. We might have pondered what that entails from a spiritual perspective. We are not left totally unsure, as David offered a blueprint with details on the fear of the Lord. This is what we shall explore over the next few days.
Firstly, we try to get the broad picture – what traits does someone who fears the Lord carry? Then, we reflect on some elements of fearing God. In looking at the broad picture, consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 34:11-12 NIV
[11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
[12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Joie de Vie
Siblings, we live in a time when suicide among youth is exceptionally high. A World Psychiatry 2005 report on suicide among the 15-19 youth noted,
[In] the 90 countries (areas) studied, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among young males and the third for young females. Of the 132,423 deaths of young people in the 90 countries [studied], suicide accounted for 9.1%.
Since that report, the JED Foundation (USA) has documented in May 2025 that
– Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2023).
– 12.2% of adults 18-25 had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year (SAMHSA, 2024).
– Overall, 20.4% of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year.
Additionally, an April 2024 article in The Lancet (vol. 70) asserts that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among youth globally. This requires our immediate attention and response, folks. We’re losing a generation.
Among the causal factors were mental disorders, substance abuse, depression, social media, and climate change. Anxiety due to climate concerns, conflicts, and contagion seems to have priority in the lives of many young people. It was also noted in another report that suicides among youth were more frequent in Buddhist and Protestant spaces. Could religion be a contributing factor?
And, unfortunately, many of us older folk are either uncaring or ill-equipped to address their concerns. Of course, there is also that sense that adults don’t understand them; and to some extent, we don’t. But that shouldn’t give us the excuse to avoid connecting with them. Not one bit.
Self-Check
Are we attending to the needs of our youth? Do we try to engage them? Why/not?
Digging Deeper
Siblings, whether we see suicide as demonic or not, we should agree that it seems to be taking the lives of our youth prematurely, leaving behind a trail of recrimination and loss. That suggests that the enemy of our souls is somehow behind this issue. But, we can’t lose hope. Our Nougat says things can be different. We can shift the suicide rate narrative, whether we consider ourselves Protestant, Catholic, or other.
At the height of his time as a fugitive from Saul, David noted that those who love life and desire to live long lives are prone to fearing God. Rather than succumb to fear, or worse yet, lose hope; David chose to turn his mind God-wards.
Could it be that we need to foster a desire to live among our youth, as well as offer them a reason to worship God?
In Psalm 90, David asked God to teach us to number our days, which I have interpreted as teach us how to make our lives count. Our lives matter to God.
We do count.
It is even better when we seek to impact others by investing in their lives, thus helping them to see that they do matter. That they matter to us and to God.
Could it be that as people of faith, we also need a new lease on life, that we need to discover our own Joie de Vie (i.e., exuberant love of life)? Not all of us are loud and exuberant, but all of us can value this very precious gift that God has afforded us. The gift of Life.
We can begin by remembering that while we were at our worst, in fact – even before we were born – Christ came, lived the example, and died so that we can experience joy in this life and the next (see Romans 5:8). That’s a direct result of God’s love for us (John 3:16-17); an unsurpassed love (John 15:13) directed at each and every single one of us.
Each of us matters.
Each of us matters to God.
Each of you matters to me also.
Because we each matter, we share with others that they matter.
Let’s meet them where they are and remind/assure them of their worth. Young, old, in-between.
Healthy and sick.
Rich and poor.
No matter the race or their perceived abilities.
Regardless of their gender.
Regardless of their class or caste. Even if their roots or current lives seem questionable.
Let’s help folks know they are loved – by God and us.
We start with prayer:-
– that we can see beyond the surface, and speak to the spark within them;
– that the words we share will carry life in Christ, and propel them to see differently;
– that our actions will reflect what we say;
– that they too, might discover their Joie de Vie in Christ.
We follow up with action.
We seal our actions with God’s Spirit, Who offers life in Christ Jesus.
Joie de Vie … sets us free.
Point to Ponder
Sometimes, the person most needing this nudge is ourselves. Do we need to find; rather, rediscover our own Joie de Vie? Selah
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
https://jedfoundation.org/mental-health-and-suicide-statistics
