Ep. 212: Recognizing and Responding to Hopelessness

SHOW NOTES:

 

In Podcast Episode 212, “Recognizing and Responding to Hopelessness,” Kim discusses the suicides of Ahithophel and Judas. Both men felt as though they had nothing left to live for. Sadly, many in our day and time feel the same. Kim will discuss some risk factors, as well as some of the warning signs of suicide, and provide encouragement in confronting the problem.

 

Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Samuel 17 with the focal verses of 1-4, 14, and 23.

 

1 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. 2 I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

 

14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!

 

23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb.

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT FEATURE:

 

Educate yourself on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, as well as the steps for helping.

 

Additional Resources and Scriptures:

 

• Ep. 203: Do You Have a Judas in Your Circle?
• Matthew 27:1-10 - 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. (3-5)
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Resources
• How and Why the 5 Steps Can Help
• TWITTER - https://twitter.com/EOinLovingJesus
• INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/
• “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesusFor more on the Overcast podcast app, go to https://overcast.fm/

I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

 

RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Samuel PODCASTS:

• “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume”
• “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda”
• “Life Application Study Bible”
• “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll
• Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
• Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by J. D. Greear, Heath A. Thomas
• “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors)
• Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III.

"Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:

 

Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.

 

This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.

 

In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.

 

If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.

 

Remember, “It’s Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”

 

If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

 

988

 

https://988lifeline.org/

 

Reference:

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.

 

Podcast recorded through Zencastr and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack was created in GarageBand by Kim Smith.

 

The HIDDEN Episodes: 

If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/