R&B Icon Montell Jordan Says the Lord Asked Him to Speak Against Suicide Epidemic
By Movieguide® Contributor
***If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255***
R&B icon Montell Jordan says the Lord is asking him to raise awareness about the suicide epidemic facing today’s youth.
“It’s amazing what goes viral in today’s culture. I just felt like in my spirit today, the Lord was asking me if I want what’s viral or what’s vital,” Jordan said in a YouTube video about increase in suicidal thoughts among today’s youth and adults. “The craziest stuff goes viral right, but something that’s vital is something that is absolutely necessary. This is a post out of my obedience to God by speaking what I believe He gave to me to share with you and it’s probably not viral but I believe it is vital.”
Jordan stressed that we are all valuable, and that suicide should not be seen as a normal occurrence.
“Suicide rocked me personally,” the singer shared. “And whether it’s been recent for you or some time ago, that wound can stay fresh. If I could speak to my loved one, I would say to him what I’m saying to you today. I can’t speak for him, I can’t speak to him but I can speak to you. If you are alive today and you are hearing this message, you are incredibly valuable to me and to God.
“If for some reason you haven’t felt loved, you haven’t been told that you are loved, please just allow me to stand in the place of that husband, wife, family member, child, parent, friend, pastor … I want to stand in the gap today and tell you, I love you. You are necessary, wanted, valuable, important and I know God loves you because He told me to tell you. You’re incredibly valuable here and now.”
Movieguide®’s Michael Howell expressed a similar message after his son Connor took his own life.
Howell writes:
What are we to do if we can’t trust Jesus to fix us when we are in this type of condition? Is it enough to know He is with us, but He is silent in our pain? If He healed by faith in the Bible when they asked by faith, why doesn’t He heal us too?
There are those among us who, when they see these questions, would say God does not exist, and if He did exist, what kind of monster must He be to let His beloved creation suffer and die in such a cruel way?
I don’t have all the answers, but I will share what I believe and what I have observed up until this point:
First, we live in a fallen world.
The idea that when we become Christians we are suddenly protected from harm and will live care-free lives is in direct opposition to what we see in the Bible and certainly the 12 disciples, the majority of which died by assorted and violent means.
In fact, often the opposite is true. If life was a cake walk after we are saved, why would we need the Holy Spirit?
Christianity is a contact sport and to be victorious in this life we need spiritual power from above.
Second, all things work to the good for those who love God.
While suicide is horrific on its face, God would not be God if He couldn’t use it for good.
The verse ultimately means as Christians we cannot lose. So many people were praying for our son.
What if Connor dying would lead to others coming to Christ who never would any other way? I know of at least two examples of this. Was it better for Connor to live, and those souls never to know Christ and go to hell?
What people forget is that when we give our lives to Christ, we trust him to use it in a way that will lead others to him, and sometimes that means unto death. We can either be used by Him or for Him, and often our actions are responsible for which of those he uses.
I know that is a tough pill to swallow, but keep in mind the game we are playing is for eternity. In such a game, one would expect such extremes especially from love. Wouldn’t you do anything to save your family?
I often wonder what if something worse was on the way not only for Connor, but for our family based on his actions leading up to his death? What if under the influence he hit someone in his car and killed them? What if him dying was the healing we were praying for? Death is the ultimate healing. What some people call a severe mercy. Do we just trust God while we are living? There are after all things worse than death.
Finally, I take comfort in that God went through everything we went through and more when His son died on the cross. If anyone knows about losing a child, it is God. Only His son was crucified and hated and took on the sins of the world. Past, present and future, including my son taking his own life.
The good news? His son rose and now lives with his Father in Heaven. This is a promise he made my son when he accepted him at age eleven and was baptized. I will see my son again just like God did. I take such great comfort in that reality.
We miss him every second of every day. That is the nature of love.
Jordan echoed similar sentiments in his video, reminding viewers that “it’s okay to not be okay.”
“We don’t have to have it all together, all figured out,” he said. “You got to know today that you are extremely valuable. It’s not okay to not be okay and not tell someone.”
The last part of his message focused on loneliness.
“You are not alone,” Jordan shared. “When the word of God tells us in Hebrews 13 and 5, I’ll never leave you, I’ll never forsake you … meaning I’ll never abandon you, I’ll never desert you. That’s a promise from God and I know loneliness is a real, legitimate feeling but please don’t allow your feelings to determine your future.”
He continued, “Our feelings can feed our fear or our feelings can fuel our faith. When you’re experiencing hell on earth, it’s definitely a reminder that paradise is a real place that’s been prepared for us. I’m reminding us all today that heaven is a gift. It is given to us. It is a prize to be called to, not something we should take into our own hands because you’re valuable. It’s okay to not be okay and you are not alone.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
