Suicide is a hard subject to discuss. Fortunately, the Bible has words of wisdom for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and loved ones trying to help.
We lost him today. That was the heartbreaking text I received from my childhood friend, who was now a grieving mother. The tragedy was visceral and close because my son was also battling suicidal thoughts. My friend and I had been trading desperate texts like missives thrust in glass bottles then tossed overboard from ships lost at sea.
Please pray for him.
We cannot get in with the counselor.
We were mothers tweeting frantic prayers requests across several states until those four awful, heart-wrenching words bottlenecked the text thread.
Like the young men over whom my friends and I prayed and wept, countless others battle suicidality. Statistics reveal that in the United States, one person every eleven minutes chooses to end his or her life. Where are we to turn when suicide comes close? Our hearts and minds can seek hope, comfort, and strength in the many Bible verses about suicide and its related topics.
What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?
Suicide is not isolated to the modern world. In fact, several deaths by suicide and assisted suicide are recorded in the Bible. Even more Scripture verses reveal the struggle of those who grappled with the pain of suicidality – including followers devoted to God. We’ll consider several Bible verses about suicide as well as concepts such as the sanctity of life and salvation and their relationship to suicide.
People are unique among God’s creation. Psalm 139:13-15 reveals the special care and attention God gives to each pre-born person, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139: 13-14 NIV)
Suicide grieves the Lord. Scripture confirms, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” (Job 14: 5 NIV) We may exercise, diet, or follow new fads to extend our lives, but our final day is marked on the calendar. Effort on our part can improve quality of life, not length. God, then, knows when He plans to call us to our heavenly home. We do not.
At the same time, God’s view of suicide is confirmed by verses like Exodus 20:13 (NIV), “You shall not murder.” The Latin etymology of suicide clarifies the meaning of the word. Sui means “oneself” while cidium refers to “killing.” Suicide, then, is the murder of self--the creation God lovingly crafted and planned for a specific time.
God’s love reigns over death. Many people claim that a Christian who intentionally chooses death commits the unforgivable sin, but the Bible tells us otherwise. To confess and to believe are the two requirements of salvation – nothing else. Not even the most grievous act of self-harm, suicide, can overcome Christ’s victory on the cross.
As Romans 8:39 affirms, “neither height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (KJV)
Suicide and thoughts of suicide even occurred among God’s people. Many devout believers, including Job, struggled with mental anguish and suicidality. Job “cursed the day of his birth” (Job 3:1-4) and revealed His suicidal thoughts to God when anguish poured like water from His mouth.
“I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.” (Job 7:15-16 NKJV)
Like Job, a person who prays and loves the Lord and believes in God’s healing power can wrestle with the hard of mental illness to the point of hopelessness.
The body is sacred. Is Jesus the Lord of your life? If so, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Paul confirms that the Christian’s body is a temple dedicated to God, “…didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?” (1 Corinthians 6:16 MSG)
Our bodies are not empty vessels. Not only do they contain our spirit, but that of the Holy Spirit who intercedes, comforts, and advocates for us.
Suicide shatters lives. When pain overwhelms the heart, the lure of final escape appeals to even the staunchest of sufferers. Unfortunately, suicide always results in unintended consequences. Mental illness and suicide rates among family and friends of the individual who takes his or her life skyrocket. 1 Chronicles 10:4-5 uncovers the same pattern in the Old Testament:
“Saul took a sword and fell on it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died. (1 Chronicles 10:4-5 NKJV)”
What are Some Common Symptoms of Suicide Ideation?
Reputable sites such as the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute for Mental Health provide extensive information about typical symptoms of suicidal ideation. Some of the most common are:
- planning or talking about death
- researching ways to die
- feeling trapped or hopeless
- isolating from family and friends
- changing normal routines (i.e. work, gym, social activities, sleep)
- deep emotional pain and/or mood swings that may include severe depression, rage, or anxiety
- giving personal items away
- feeling numb
- self-medicating with alcohol or other addictive substances
How Can You Help Someone with Suicide Ideation?
You can help a friend or loved one who struggles with thoughts of suicide by taking the following steps:
- Get uncomfortable and ask, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Depending upon the response, you may need to follow up with, “Do you have a plan?” Do not be concerned about planting thoughts of self-harm in someone’s head. Your uncomfortable questions may stop an unnecessary tragedy.
- Remain calm. Avoid reacting in anger or dismissing your loved one’s feelings or experience. Your calm response will minimize already heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, and helplessness.
- Seek help. Contact authorities, the National Suicide Hotline, or accompany your loved one to the nearest emergency room or mental health facility.
- Pray. Each of us can love and support those in our lives who grapple with suicidality, but the final decision lies outside our control. We can, however, release our cares to the Lord.
A Prayer for People with Suicide Ideation
Father,
Your word reassures that you “have plans to give me a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11), but I feel as though “my days have no meaning” (Job 7:15-16). Holy Spirit, I invite your truth to sink into the sorrow-soaked places of my heart and mind.
Jesus, in your darkest valley, you experienced emotional anguish and wept tears of blood. I know you understand my pain and that you promise “life abundant” (John 10:10). But the one who comes to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) taunts me with the untruth that this is all there is to life. I cry out to you, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
Today, I lay my pain at your feet as a “living sacrifice.” Help me to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and by your strength, “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
In the powerful name of Jesus Christ,
Amen
A Prayer for People Whose Loved One Struggles with Suicide Ideation
Lord,
My heart grieves for the loved one I have lost to mental illness. I long for the days when laughter sprinkled our conversations with joy. Yet, you are the God who restores. In faith, I lift “holy hands in prayer” (1 Timothy 2:8) and ask that you would restore to this dear one “the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Replace the “spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3) with a garment of praise.
Protect your child from “spiritual forces in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12) and self-harm. Give me wisdom, insight, and a heart at peace as I “keep my mind stayed on you” (Isaiah 26:3). I praise and thank you, Lord, that you shepherd us both. Even now, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Rawpixel
