There are many logical arguments against the act of killing oneself. Sadly, the desire to kill yourself does not rest on logic. There are so many reasons that people discover in themselves, their lives, their hearts that add to the continually mounting evidence in a case brought against their existence. Often these trials are kept secret, and there are times when the accuser wins. And there are times when that leads to death.
Those who knew someone who committed suicide can find themselves not knowing what to do with themselves. They don’t know where to direct their questions to have actual answers, because the answers are often gone. The world gets flipped upside down an turned back right side up, but in the process someone went missing. Maybe they couldn’t hold on, maybe they let go to fall into the sky.
National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW) is an annual week-long campaign in the United States to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide. You can find more information here, here, and here.
I think acknowledging and supporting broken people is an incredible way to show the love of Christ. In Psalm 107 there are stories of different people who lose all hope, but in the moment they call out to God they are delivered (v.20). What better way to serve God than to deliver His word to those in despair?
As Jesus said, “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation” (Mark 16:15). He gave us a job to do, because we have a battle to fight for every life. We are to defend, aid, and relay the truth:
Yes, you deserved death, but you have a savior who has given you the chance to have a new life. He loved you so much that he already died for you (John 3:16). In Him there is no condemnation, and your accuser will be silenced (Revelation 12:10).
So I encourage you to keep the word of God in your heart and to pray for those who are struggling. Pray for the families and friends of those who are already suffering from the silence of unanswered questions. Pray that the body of Christ does not fail to support the heavy hearted, and that Christ will be given the opportunity to take their burdens.