On this day, one year ago, my brother-in-law decided to kill himself. There was a lot that he didn't think about before making this horrific, permanent decision.
His suicide caused lots of problems for others. He didn't realize how it would devastate his family - causing his loved ones to blame themselves and each other. He didn't think about how people would feel when they discovered how he died - the emotional and mental problems that his immediate family would develop because of this choice he made. He didn't consider the financial cost to other people - having to fly across the country and miss work for his funeral. He didn't understand that he would be messing up the plans that God had for his future.
Suicide is murder, self-murder. It is a sin - straight from Satan. Every suicidal thought or attempt is straight from Satan. He wants to destroy God's creation. He wants to mess up God's will. When you give into suicidal thoughts, you are giving into the lies of Satan and doing his will instead. You have the power to resist Satan. James 4:7 tells us "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Turn to God; submit to Him. Stop concentrating on self and think about God, to do His will. You can't live out God's purpose for your life if you're dead.
But it doesn't stop there. Tell somebody the truth. Get professional help. It may seem embarrassing to admit to suicidal thoughts, but dying from suicide is even more embarrassing. My brother-in-law did tell someone a year prior to his death that he had been having suicidal thoughts. But, he didn't do anything else about it, like get professional help.
Your situation can improve. Professionals can offer you the opportunity to talk and work through your problems. They can suggest resources that will help you. They can also prescribe medicine if you have a chemical imbalance that needs correcting. Many people have had suicidal thoughts disappear by just taking a tiny little pill. A chemical imbalance is a medical problem. But left untreated, Satan can use it to get you to kill yourself.
The truth is, there is nothing good about suicide. It won't solve your problems. Suicide will only create many new problems. It will:
- devastate your family and friends
- greatly disappoint God
- please Satan
- ruin God's specific plans for your future
- cause deep emotional pain to others
- Attempts can leave you physically disabled and brain damaged.
- Attempts can cause great shame and embarrassment to you.
- Change your environment and get around people.
- Call somebody.
- Pray to God. Read the Bible. Focus on Him. Sing praise songs to Him.
- Count your blessings.
- Help someone who is less fortunate than you.
- Do something that you enjoy.
- Get involved in an activity: go for a walk, read, watch TV, make something good to eat.
- Call a pastor or make an appointment with a counselor.
- Make a no suicide contract and plan what steps you will take to keep from harming yourself.
- Call 911
- Call a local suicide hot line.
- Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Go to the emergency room.
