Hope Always: How to Be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide

by Matthew Sleeth

Overview

“A much-needed manual for all who attempt to counsel troubled souls battling despair.”
—Bob Russell, Retired Senior Pastor, Southeast Christian Church

Every single day, someone you know is thinking about committing suicide. It isn’t just one or two—ten million Americans will consider killing themselves in the upcoming year. Dr. Matthew Sleeth believes Christians—and our churches—should be the first to offer hope. Are we prepared to do so?

As a physician and minister, Dr. Sleeth shares his personal and professional experiences with depression and suicide, challenging Christians to become part of the solution. With sound medical principles finding their rightful place beside timeless biblical wisdom, Hope Always offers the practical and spiritual tools that individuals, families, and churches need to help loved ones who are stressed and struggling.

In Hope Always, you will find

• research-based and scientifically grounded information about the suicide epidemic,
• biblically based information to start a conversation about the spiritual and emotional battles that so many of us face, and
• a practical toolkit to consult when a loved one is dealing with suicidal ideation.

After reading Hope Always, you will have the resources at your fingertips to build communities of hope that help save lives!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496450012
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	369,033
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Matthew Sleeth, MD, a former emergency room physician and chief of the hospital medical staff, resigned from his position to teach, preach, and write about faith and health. Recognized by Newsweek as one of the nation's most influential Christian leaders, Dr. Sleeth is the executive director of Blessed Earth and author of numerous articles and books. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with Nancy, his wife of forty years.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Problem of Suicide

Chapter 1 A Tale of Two Patients 9

Chapter 2 The Greatest Depression 25

Chapter 3 The Life Continuum Scale 35

Chapter 4 Mental Health 101 49

Part 2 A Biblical Worldview of Suicide

Chapter 5 Suicide and Satan 69

Chapter 6 God and Suicide 83

Chapter 7 Drugs and Alcohol 101

Part 3 How You Can Help

Chapter 8 Talking to a Loved One 119

Chapter 9 Pastors and Suicide 143

Chapter 10 The Church and Suicide 157

The Hope Always Tool Kit 169

Discussion Guide 205

Notes 209

About the Author 215

What People are Saying About This

Bob Russell

Hope Always sounds an appropriate, biblical warning and yet provides ultimate hope to anyone considering harming themselves. Dr. Matthew Sleeth’s insightful, easy-to-read book is also a much-needed manual for all who attempt to counsel troubled souls battling despair. Those of us who are in Christian ministry would do well to have a dozen copies of this timely book on hand, ready to share with any who are even remotely contemplating suicide or with family members devastated by it.

Bob Perkowitz

Matthew Sleeth’s mission for Hope Always is to save lives. He helps us understand what we can really do in our personal lives and faith communities to help people avoid “the voice of demons beckoning.” These are certainly stressful times, and many are questioning themselves and the world around them. I wish I’d had this book a few years ago. It might have made the ultimate difference in helping me help someone persevere. It certainly will in the future.

Mark Galli

Everything Matthew Sleeth writes is a combination of gentle realism, biblical insight, and compassion. Given the pain and complexity swirling around suicide, a book on the topic needs all these in spades. Once again, Sleeth has delivered. This is a must-read book for those who need wisdom and hope in the face of grief or despair.