Don’t Suffer Alone

During a Q-and-A session with our pastors awhile back, someone asked how to respond after their friend had recently committed suicide. How do they shine their light? How do they live in light of the circumstances?

This is a very difficult thing to deal with, and there is so much pain and shock for the person’s family. When I come to a situation like this, I don’t try to explain it, because there are some things in life that are just inexplicable. Instead what I try to do is comfort people, help them find perspective, and point them to the God of all comfort.

This is not in answer to the why, but it is pointing people to the whom. They need Christ. They need to lean on Jesus Christ, trust in Jesus Christ, and hang on to Jesus Christ.

Truthfully, committing suicide is one of the most horrific, selfish things someone could do to those around them, because their loved ones will suffer for years to come. There can be many things that can drive a person to such despair. It can be some crisis. It can be some moment of weakness. But understand where it’s coming from. Jesus said of the Devil, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” In contrast Jesus added, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

If you’re getting hit with suicidal thoughts, go to someone—such as a pastor or mature Christian friends—and bring it into the light of day. Don’t suffer with this alone. Allow someone to love you and help you through it, to help you get perspective.

You are loved by God and by many people—more than you realize.