I just wanted to share my response to Rosie's thread, Learning to Trust...

These posts are awesome!  Thank you and Thank God for his grace, mercy, comfort and peace to get us through.  :)

As you, I am aware of "the devils parlor".  I believe that is how you put it.  That is how it is-- bottom line.  However, we have the ability to choose God, walk in the truth and protect ourselves wearing the armour of God-- nobody gets to us, but through Him. 

Your post prompts me to share some insight into what I've thought over the years.  I never did quite understand the entire suicide thing-- even though at one point just before my marriage ended I was at my lowest emotional point in my life and just wanted to die.  As much as I thought about how or where or when, I knew deep in my heart and soul I could never carry that through.  I've oftened wondered what makes a person get to that point and it wasn't until I realized that having come from an abused childhood as well, not even believing their was a God to an adult who's heart is completely given to God that it became clear to me.  It has EXACTLY to do with what you refer to as this world being the "devils parlor".

I was at my doctor the other day, with so much going on in my life that is crazy, causing lots of tears, at times triggered emotions of pain and anxiety freaking me out that I won't make it on my own, will lose my house, can't take care of my kids-- All things, I have been lifting up to God in prayer though and He turns it all around, brings me back to my accomplishments and my life NOW.  So the doctor had to ask about my symptoms, headache-- yeah, crying spells-- yeah, how many--- have no idea, just happens, insomnia--- yeah and of course, the ultimate, Any thoughts of suicide??   hahahahahaha, I just started laughing and looked at him and said this........  (which made him laugh too and he knows me well enough that he knows I mean what I say when it comes to my faith in God)

I said, You've got to be CRAZY to think that I would EVER attempt suicide cause I'm living a life of hell here and I CERTAINLY don't want to live an eternity in hell, which is where I'd be if I committed suicide.  I gotta have some sort of peace and if it is God's will to ONLY have it be in eternity and not here, well then so be it.  hahahahaha  Furthermore, I said, that God has to have an incredible plan for me because of all that Satan throws at me in an attempt to stop me from reaching what it is that God wants for me.  I realized now that suicide is a sense of hopelessness and lack of trust in God-- that's all it's about.   Unfortunately, so many people put God's timing in the realm of this lifetime in the world, when clearly perhaps it might just be that God has plans for us in eternity.  We are to just wait and trust His plan whatever it will be.     

That always makes me laugh cause it's the truth-- we are living a hell here with so much tragedy occuring, murders, rapes, war and so much sin of all types... it's awful, but that is EXACTLY what the flesh is about---   I struggled between living in the flesh and the spirit because I am human, just as everyone else.  However, I can have peace in knowing that the blood of Christ has cleansed me and continue to walk towards the spirit for my eternal reward.  We are ONLY here for a short time on this journey back home and that is my focal point that gets me through.  Now don't get me wrong, there is also much peace and good that come out of this world-- but actually, let me correct myself, it doesn't come out of this world, it comes from the love within peoples hearts-- the love God puts there when accepted and is NOTHING to do with the world or the flesh.

Take Care!