(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)
Iran (SAT-7/MNN) — Political restrictions, religious persecution, and a failing government can make life in Iran an unbearable burden.
People have tried to soothe the pain through all kinds of means, whether through an immoral lifestyle, drugs, or just ending life altogether. Their suffering has robbed them of all joy, driving them into a deep despair.
But there is hope. And SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, is helping Iranians find it. SAT-7 has a counseling center in Iran that provides encouragement to the hopeless through biblical-based teaching. SAT-7 PARS, SAT-7’s channel to Iran and the wider Persian world, shared this story about the hope found in salvation:
A young Iranian woman, *Sussan, called the SAT-7 PARS counseling center to share her journey. Sussan suffered from severe epilepsy, and because of this, she was unable to find work. Anxieties built up, followed by depression. Sussan felt she had “hit a wall” and had nothing left to lose.
On the night that she decided to end it all, Sussan had a dream of a man clad in brilliant white. But who was this man? Could this be Jesus? Not knowing any Christians and having never held a Bible, Sussan was unsure where to turn. Nevertheless, a fire had been lit inside her. She needed to live on and learn more about Jesus.
Sussan told her husband what she had seen. He got angry and told her to abandon her new path, saying “You’ll be rejected.” Unphased, Sussan tried to find a Bible at a local library. Here she was told, “This is forbidden, you should stop looking!” and turned away. After being rejected, Sussan was eventually able to meet a Christian family who helped her get a Bible. In the Word, she found what she was longing for: Hope in the person of Jesus, and she responded with her heart.
(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)
The counseling center didn’t lead Susan to the Lord, but the end of her story is SAT-7’s goal: to help the hopeless find purpose for their lives by leading them to salvation.
To serve the many who suffer and struggle to find answers, SAT-7 recently hired more counseling center staff. But this organization still needs your help. Consider donating financially: for $10, you can support 10 SAT-7 viewers for a year.
Through this time of political turmoil, remember also to keep the Middle East in your prayers. Pray that many would give their lives to Jesus and find a lasting hope.
*Name changed for security.
