When suicidal thoughts come

“Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Eccles. 7:17 ESV)

Suicide is terrible and wrong!

Today, I happened upon a list of celebrities who had died by taking their own lives. Many of them had successful careers and everything to live for by the world’s standards, yet they chose to end it all by taking their own lives. What a tragic loss!

Suicide affects people of all ages

Locally, we’re still reeling by the death last year of a young student who ended their life after being bullied at school. I will interject here, by saying that I personally understand that pain because I also had been a victim of severe bullying at school along with suffering through severe bouts of deep depression. I attempted suicide twice, failed and was hospitalized. Looking back, it’s hard to believe I had ever been in such a state of mind. It’s been over 50 years since then but I can still remember my anguish and how everything looked so black at that time that I couldn’t see past it. Therefore, I do know what it feels like to be on the “dark side” of this subject. I believe most choose suicide as a way to escape some kind of pain, depression, illness or other problem they cannot see past. Whatever the reason, suicide is never the right answer. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, so don’t do it!

Suicide in the Bible 

Probably the most famous instance of suicide in the Bible is that of Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Afterwards, he had great remorse for what he had done. He gave the money back and then hung himself. We will never know what may have happened if he had repented and asked Jesus for forgiveness instead of killing himself. But sadly, he took matters into his own hands and that settled it for him. Another disciple, the Apostle Peter, had also betrayed Jesus and even denied Him three times. He swore and said he didn’t know Jesus. But Peter, unlike Judas, did not commit suicide. He was forgiven by Jesus and God used him mightily after that.   

Therefore…

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor.  3:16-27 ESV)

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalms 34:17-20 ESV)

Quotes:

“Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death.” - George Whitefield

“Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.” - Dwight L. Moody