The Bible is full of life’s challenges and the importance of understanding that, no matter what we go through, God is always with us. Suicide—the act of taking one’s own life, has become a bigger and bigger problem in our society. In 2019, over 48,000 people in the United States alone died by suicide. What does the Bible say about suicidal thoughts and feelings?
Suicide is not a light topic mentioned throughout the Bible—it is never encouraged or expected by God. One key Bible passage we can look to is Job 2:9-10 which states “His [Job’s] wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’” In this passage, Job’s wife probably thought that if Job had taken his own life, his suffering would be over. However, Job had faith and didn’t give in to the temptation of suicide, trusting in the Lord. The Bible does not encourage suicide, nor does it condemn those who take their own life. Speculation surrounding judgment of individuals is without basis, and it is not for us to ultimately judge anyone or decide on their eternal destiny.
There are also passages in the Bible that discuss feelings of despair and suicide. The book of Psalms has many examples—Psalm 88 being one of the more depressing.Written by Heman the Ezrahite in his youth, it is said to describe the depths of despair he fell into.In verse 3, the Psalm states, “My life drains away; I will go to the place of no return.” These deep feelings of despair are common in cases of serious suicidal thoughts.
In the New Testament, Jesus gives a parable about a prodigal son. Owning up to his mistakes and restored with open arms back into his father’s house, Jesus encourages us to remember to turn back to God and seek forgiveness for wrongdoings in our lives. It is important to remember that God’s mercy and love for us is unfailing and forgiving.
Many of us have faced or heard of someone facing the dark clouds of depression. In the Bible, the prophet Elijah is a great example of someone battling with severe depression. The book of 1 kings provides us a lesson on how to move onward from suicidal thoughts and feelings. After hearing some discouraging news and feeling overwhelmed, Elijah wanted to give up and even complained to God God. This shows us that it is completely okay and understandable to share our feelings of sadness and hopelessness with God. As Elijah learned, God’s grace is not absent during these dark times. Instead, He is present and here to help us out of them.
God’s Presence
Beyond discussions of suicide, many passages and stories in the Bible are full of hope. One of the most often quoted is Isaiah 41:10 which says, “do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God.” This verse is an encouraging reminder from God that He is always with us, no matter what struggles or hard times come our way. We are also reminded in Romans 8:38-39 that “nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God is surrounded by grace and mercy, which are not one-time acts of love, but an ongoing protection and source of strength. This reassures us that God will never abandon us, and he will never give up on us.
The Bible is full of stories of people facing unbelievable circumstances, yet showing us all how to hang onto a belief in God, despite our feelings and fears. We can look to these stories for inspiration and strength in difficult times. As Christians, we can turn to God and our faith for help and hope in the difficult times.
Real Help is Available
Having suicidal thoughts doesn’t necessarily mean you will act upon them, but it is important to reach out and seek help. There are professional organisations, like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can provide individuals with real assistance and direct people to counselling and other forms of support. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of much deeper issues, they are not the issue themselves. Accessing resources and being open with family and friends can lead to healing and help at a very deep level. Reaching out to others can provide validation and comfort in times of darkness.
As Christians, it is also important to remember to use our faith. It’s not always easy to lean on God and look to Him for strength and comfort. However, if we can recognize the presence of God’s Spirit in the midst of our darkest times and trust his love, some of those feelings may start to ebb away. Through Jesus, we can put our hope, trust, and faith in God, knowing He will bring us through any situation we go through.
Suicidal Thoughts and Praying
We should never feel ashamed of or condemned for our thoughts of suicide. Jesus was once asked if suicide was forgiven by God, and he replied that those who harmed themselves were forgiven. So we can take comfort in God’s grace and the reminder that He is always with us. Prayer can be a powerful tool in facing suicidal thoughts. Psalm 34:17-19 reads, “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” God hears us when we pray and reaches out to us in a time of trouble.
Suicide Prevention
Taking proactive steps to prevent suicide can really make a difference in saving lives. Mindful of mental health, developing coping skills, and taking time to focus on the journey can support both ourselves and others. By promoting mental wellness and openness, we can help individuals feel supported and prevent suicide. Building relationships and creating a sense of community amongst those at risk of suicide can further create a safe environment for them to turn to in challenging times. This can be done in various ways—donating to suicide prevention initiatives, creating safe spaces in your community, or even just offering a listening ear.
Organizations such as To Write Love On Her Arms and The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide valuable support services to those at risk. If you are in need of assistance yourself or know someone who is, please reach out and get help. No one needs to go through a difficult and dark times alone.
Compassion and Understanding
No matter how deep our own struggles and depression, it is important to remember that loneliness and isolation does not have the final word. We have to remember that Jesus has overcome the darkness and that our battle has been won—we are simply fighting for the victory.Understanding and accepting Jesus’ message of love and grace brings us closeness to God’s presence and light and understanding to the darkness we feel indebted to.
It is also important to be mindful and sensitive to those who battle with suicidal thoughts and depression. The journey can be long and complicated, and it is important to extend patience, love, and understanding when hearing friends and family’s struggles. It might be hard to understand why someone feels so depressed, but it is a key indication of the importance of checking up on those in our community and lending an ear to hear their story. Having patience and empathy can be a powerful tool to help those suffering in silence.
Know that You Are Not Alone
No one should have to suffer in silence, and it is important to remember that there is hope—God brings hope. God calls us to be people of love and understanding, so please never hesitate to reach out and get help. There are people who understand and are here to listen, so know that you are not alone — the light of Jesus brightens our darkest days.
