Compassion for Your Concerns…
Does life seem impossible? Have you been struggling with thoughts of suicide? Could you possibly have begun to believe a lie? The lie is that “self-inflicted death is better than God-given life.” The Lord has compassion for your every concern and will deal with you only in truth. Jesus said,
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:32
Fables about Suicide
Fable: “People who talk about killing themselves never do.”
Fact: Take any threat of suicide seriously. Of those who take their own lives, 80 percent have warned someone.
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” -Proverbs 18:15
Fable: “Never talk about suicide with deeply depressed people—it could give them ideas.”
Fact: You can assume that most depressed or very anxious persons have given some thought to taking their lives. For a person considering suicide, having someone to talk with can be a powerful preventive.
“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” -Proverbs 16:21
Fable: “A deeply committed believer would never commit suicide.”
Fact: The hopelessness that can accompany severe stress can also strain a person’s faith. Like the godly prophet Jeremiah, even the most sincere believer can become engulfed in suicidal despair. When he was being tormented and his life was threatened, Jeremiah lamented,
“Cursed be the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed! . . . Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?” -Jeremiah 20:14, 18
Key Verses to Memorize
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” -Psalm 62:5–6