Suicide
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United states, accounting for more than 1% of all deaths. And it is the second leading cause of death among young adults ages 15-24. Suicide rates are highest among adults between 45 and 64. In suicide statistics, 40% of persons who complete suicide have made a previous attempt. In the United States, the new three-digit dialing code 988 has been designated to route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022.
People who have suicidal thoughts, practice social isolation, talk about suicide, attempt suicide, or have died by suicide show warning signs of mental illness or emotional disorder. Therefore, understanding the risk factors for suicide is an essential step to prevent suicide, save a life, and achieve long term prevention results. If any person has a family member who has grave psychological disturbances, anguish or grave fear of hardship, suffering, torture, or pain and is thinking of ending his life, let that person make serious efforts to convince the troubled one to reach out for spiritual and psychological help.
Is Suicide a Sin?
Life is a precious gift from God and it is wrong to end it. Jesus loved people unto death (John 3:16). There is no greater love than that (John 15:13). When a person gives up his life, he is rejecting God’s love and making His sacrifice of no effect to himself. He is giving up the chance to be saved and there is nothing more that God can do for him.
Ending one’s life is a violation of God’s clear command, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). It is a mortal sin, which leads to death in hell (Romans 6:23). Giving up life means giving up all faith and hope. The Bible teaches, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). This act is sealing one’s destiny to hell because there is no more chance to repent after death.
God Can Change Your Life
Suicide is never the answer. God is. Before you lose hope, you should give the Lord a chance to work in your life. The Lord pleads, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). If you end your life, you’re ending God’s good plans for you. For He promises, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Jesus is waiting for you with open arms saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Be sure that, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us (you) from the love of God” (Romans 8:38-39).
So, instead of despair, trust in the Lord to turn your life around and give you experiences you never imagined possible. The apostle Paul affirms, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
A Prayer
If you are thinking of ending his life, pray this prayer: “My Heavenly Father, come into my heart, be my Lord. I put my trust in You. Forgive me for wanting to end my life and for my sins, cleanse me, and restore my faith and joy in You. Thank You for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
After your pray this prayer, thank the Lord for answering your prayer even before you see any change. Then, give Him a chance to change your mind and soul. To make this possible, connect yourself daily to Him through the study of His Word and prayer that you may find His plan for your life. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4,5).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
