Thoughts On Suicide by Pastor Raymond Wicks
It has become too often that we hear of someone who has decided to take their own life. No matter how close we are to them, we wish we could have done something to help them before that tragic event.People are interested in this subject for different reasons. For some, this topic is an interesting theological question. Others are thinking about how they can effectively minister to hurting hearts. For some, trying to figure out the “why” is their main focus. Others are trying to figure out how to go forward after such a heartbreaking loss.The subject of suicide should be approached with a compassionate care for all those involved. I trust these thoughts will be helpful.
1. Suicide happens for different reasons.
Loneliness, rejection, a low self-worth, guilt from sin or past failures (sometimes not even their own), self-punishment, revenge, lack of seeing purpose in their life, physical pain or fatigue, chemical imbalance, mind-altering substances, discouragement, copycatting someone else who has attempted it, desiring attention, pressures of life, and many other reasons may cause a person to want to end their own life. Sometimes a combination of difficulties overtake a person’s good judgment.
2. A person that has suicidal thoughts is not alone.
The Bible even gives examples of people, who for various reasons, wanted to end their own lives. (Elijah –1 Kings 19:4, Ahithophel –2 Samuel 17:23, Jonah –Jonah 4:3, Job –Job 6:8-10a, and Judas –Matthew 27:3-5). In some cases, Ahithophel and Judas, they did commit suicide. However, in the majority of cases in history, people have been able to get through their difficult times even if they have had suicidal thoughts at some point.
If you yourself are thinking about suicide, ask yourself “What are my reasons?”, “How would this affect others?”, “Who or what can help me to get through this?” Do not isolate yourself—ask God and the right people for help. Hope and help are available if you want them.
The body, mind, and spirit need to work together for healthy well-being. Sometimes the solution is as easy as getting rest or refreshment for the body, mind, or spirit. Many resources are available including Scripture to teach us truth, refresh our spirit, and help us with mind control. Suicidal thoughts need to leave your mind for good. Here are a few Bible verses to think on.
If you yourself are thinking about suicide, ask yourself “What are my reasons?”, “How would this affect others?”, “Who or what can help me to get through this?” Do not isolate yourself—ask God and the right people for help. Hope and help are available if you want them.
The body, mind, and spirit need to work together for healthy well-being. Sometimes the solution is as easy as getting rest or refreshment for the body, mind, or spirit. Many resources are available including Scripture to teach us truth, refresh our spirit, and help us with mind control. Suicidal thoughts need to leave your mind for good. Here are a few Bible verses to think on.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”Ephesians 5:11-21 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”John 10:10 “The thief (Evil one) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
3. Grieving a loss like this.
Communities and individuals grieve differently. Don’t expect everyone to react like you. How you grieve depends on many factors including your personality, your coping style, your life experiences, your faith, whom you have to help you, and the nature of the loss. The grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried. There is no “normal” timetable for grieving.
Finding support:
Turn to the Lord and His Word.Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Turn to the Lord and His Word.Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Pray.Psalm 121, Tell Him how you feel—not with a bitter or irreverent spirit but, ask for God’s help.
Turn to close friends and family —no one is completely self-sufficient.
Turn to a good Bible-believing church.
Take care of your health. For example, get enough sleep, eat right, do not entertain artificial “grief lifters” such as drugs or alcohol. Understand there will be times when grief or other emotions will be triggered. Be patient with those who are trying to comfort you. Their motive may be good but they may say the wrong things.
Turn to a good Bible-believing church.
Take care of your health. For example, get enough sleep, eat right, do not entertain artificial “grief lifters” such as drugs or alcohol. Understand there will be times when grief or other emotions will be triggered. Be patient with those who are trying to comfort you. Their motive may be good but they may say the wrong things.
4. A last action should not define the totality of a person’s existence.
We are right to remember all that was good in those who have succumb to the temptation of suicide. As a relative or friend, it will be helpful to be selective with your memories of ones who have passed on. We all have moments we wish we could erase from our timeline. Think of those wonderful times you did have with the one who is now gone.
5. Suicide is a sin but not the “unpardonable” sin.
Christians for centuries have consistently viewed suicide as a violation of the sixth commandment. Self-murder is still murder. While we want to empathize with those who suffer from discouragement or disease, it is unbiblical reasoning to think that suffering is the means that justifies this end. Suicide is a sinful, sometimes selfish, choice made by an individual. This statement is neither unloving nor disrespectful. We do not help struggling folks by refusing to tell them that suicide is displeasing to God; lovingly spoken, this may be one of the means that God uses to jolt the suicidal soul back to more godly thinking.
While it is very sad for a Christian to die confused and without hope, this loss of perspective does not necessarily mean that the person was not a born again, justified, saved, Christian. We are saved if we have personally trusted the blood of Jesus Christ and His triumphant conquering of death for all our sins—not whether our last moment was triumphant or tragic. Suicide should not be taken lightly. It is painful and displeasing to God and man. True salvation forgives us of all our sins, even ones that take away our last breath. Make sure of your own salvation by calling upon Jesus and trusting in His finished work on the cross for your only hope of Heaven!
While it is very sad for a Christian to die confused and without hope, this loss of perspective does not necessarily mean that the person was not a born again, justified, saved, Christian. We are saved if we have personally trusted the blood of Jesus Christ and His triumphant conquering of death for all our sins—not whether our last moment was triumphant or tragic. Suicide should not be taken lightly. It is painful and displeasing to God and man. True salvation forgives us of all our sins, even ones that take away our last breath. Make sure of your own salvation by calling upon Jesus and trusting in His finished work on the cross for your only hope of Heaven!
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