The rate of suicide has been increasing every year since 2000.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, 44,193 people die by suicide. On average, there are 121 suicides per day.
We have been exploring the sixth commandment, found in Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.” Murder is the taking of a human life. Since suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life, it should therefore be considered murder.
It is scripturally sound to say two things — suicide is never the right choice, and suicide is never God’s will. God says don’t do it. There are other options. There is a better solution to your problems.
Suicide often is perceived as an act of selfishness. That is because of the painful emotions that family members and friends are forced to deal with after someone has taken their own life.
But suicide is not really about selfishness. It is about desperation. It is an act of desperation by someone who is facing intense pain. Often, the goal is to bring an end to their pain.
Whenever anyone acts on the decision to end their pain by taking their own life, they trigger an onslaught of indescribable pain in the lives of loved ones and friends. I hope you won’t even entertain the possibility.
Please understand that Jesus is in the business of bringing healing and hope to all, even those who struggle to escape the depths of despair.
Sometimes, discouragement or depression can cause a person to think suicide is the only reasonable solution to their problems.
If you are thinking along these lines or if you know someone who is, please find a pastor, a counselor or a trusted friend and let them know what’s going on in your life. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
You matter to God. God made you for a purpose. He values you. He cares about you. He loves you with an unconditional love. In fact, Jesus loves you so much that he gave his life so that you might have life eternal.
Most people have a hard time trying to imagine a level of despair that is deep enough to lead to someone even considering the possibility of ending their own life.
But just because you have not reached that place of despair yourself, please don’t ever think that it can’t happen to people just like you and me.
You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].