If you have had suicidal thoughts, have a loved one struggling with ideations, or have lost a loved one to suicide, you are not alone.
Suicide is more common than you think. More people in America die by suicide than homicide, at every age group. Around 50,000 will die this year from suicide. More than gun violence, more than car wrecks.
We as the Church need to do more, and not just because September is Suicide Prevention Month. All human life is sacred and taking ones life is not God's design.
By design, the church does several things that help in the fight against suicide.
Community is a major protective factor that churches are fundamental in. Our modern society craves community, but feels lonelier than ever. The church is community. Be connected with your local body and reach out when someone seems isolated.
Proclaim Hope. We have the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. No matter what we face in this life, no struggle can take away our hope in eternity. Even Job struggled with this, he cries out that he has lost hope, wishes he was never born, yet still cries out to God for his salvation and to redeem him.
You have a purpose. Our society also feels they lack a purpose. Things like AI and automation can add to this. But we have a purpose, to love God and love our neighbor. To do the will of God. To proclaim His gospel.
We do those things well. Many churches struggle with recognizing mental illness. The people I know who have died by suicide or struggle with ideations dealt with mental illness. I've been in many churches that just say "you depressed? You anxious? Then you lack faith. You just need Jesus." If you have a mental illness, it isn't that easy. Learn about bipolar, PTSD, major depressive disorder, Lewy body dementia, and other mental illnesses that are common in our society and commonly contribute to suicidal ideations. We can help by stopping the stigma with mental health and treatment. We pray for those with physical ailments and take them to the doctor, we should do the same for mental ailments.
Being aware of warning signs of suicide. When someone is struggling, don't be afraid of the awkward conversation. "Are you thinking about suicide?" will not plant the idea in their mind, but give them an opportunity to ask for help.
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, I believe that Jesus weeps with us in our mourning. I also firmly believe that not even suicide can come between us and the love of God (Romans 8:35-39).
Reach out. 988 is 24/7. https://988lifeline.org/
My father-in-law died in 2023 by suicide. He had been suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. It was short, only about six months from when we noticed a change. We fought for him, long after he stopped fighting. It isn't easy spending hours listening to someone tell you why suicide is the right answer and how they are fully convinced that the reason they need to die is so bad that even Jesus wouldn't love them while I threaten him with being arrested if he won't go with me to the ER. We must be willing to walk into deep dark places in this fight.
At his funeral, we sang "Because He Lives." The irony in singing it at the funeral of someone who died by their own hand because they couldn't face tomorrow is not lost on me. He knew Christ lives, but he couldn't face tomorrow. He knew Christ lives, but had only fear. He knew that Christ holds the future, but he did not think life was worth living.
What we thought was the promise of God fell short. We thought that the promise of God was that one would not fall away. That in our time of deepest need, God would give them strength. That death would not win.
The promise of God is not that life will be OK, but that He is with us and is making all things new. The hope of Christ allows us to still sing it.
Jesus promised us that He came to provide life abundantly, but the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. That includes suicide. We as a church must stand together with those who are struggling to bring them to that abundant life.
You are not alone. You are loved by God and others. You have a purpose.
Suicide is more common than you think. More people in America die by suicide than homicide, at every age group. Around 50,000 will die this year from suicide. More than gun violence, more than car wrecks.
We as the Church need to do more, and not just because September is Suicide Prevention Month. All human life is sacred and taking ones life is not God's design.
By design, the church does several things that help in the fight against suicide.
Community is a major protective factor that churches are fundamental in. Our modern society craves community, but feels lonelier than ever. The church is community. Be connected with your local body and reach out when someone seems isolated.
Proclaim Hope. We have the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. No matter what we face in this life, no struggle can take away our hope in eternity. Even Job struggled with this, he cries out that he has lost hope, wishes he was never born, yet still cries out to God for his salvation and to redeem him.
You have a purpose. Our society also feels they lack a purpose. Things like AI and automation can add to this. But we have a purpose, to love God and love our neighbor. To do the will of God. To proclaim His gospel.
We do those things well. Many churches struggle with recognizing mental illness. The people I know who have died by suicide or struggle with ideations dealt with mental illness. I've been in many churches that just say "you depressed? You anxious? Then you lack faith. You just need Jesus." If you have a mental illness, it isn't that easy. Learn about bipolar, PTSD, major depressive disorder, Lewy body dementia, and other mental illnesses that are common in our society and commonly contribute to suicidal ideations. We can help by stopping the stigma with mental health and treatment. We pray for those with physical ailments and take them to the doctor, we should do the same for mental ailments.
Being aware of warning signs of suicide. When someone is struggling, don't be afraid of the awkward conversation. "Are you thinking about suicide?" will not plant the idea in their mind, but give them an opportunity to ask for help.
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, I believe that Jesus weeps with us in our mourning. I also firmly believe that not even suicide can come between us and the love of God (Romans 8:35-39).
Reach out. 988 is 24/7. https://988lifeline.org/
My father-in-law died in 2023 by suicide. He had been suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. It was short, only about six months from when we noticed a change. We fought for him, long after he stopped fighting. It isn't easy spending hours listening to someone tell you why suicide is the right answer and how they are fully convinced that the reason they need to die is so bad that even Jesus wouldn't love them while I threaten him with being arrested if he won't go with me to the ER. We must be willing to walk into deep dark places in this fight.
At his funeral, we sang "Because He Lives." The irony in singing it at the funeral of someone who died by their own hand because they couldn't face tomorrow is not lost on me. He knew Christ lives, but he couldn't face tomorrow. He knew Christ lives, but had only fear. He knew that Christ holds the future, but he did not think life was worth living.
What we thought was the promise of God fell short. We thought that the promise of God was that one would not fall away. That in our time of deepest need, God would give them strength. That death would not win.
The promise of God is not that life will be OK, but that He is with us and is making all things new. The hope of Christ allows us to still sing it.
Jesus promised us that He came to provide life abundantly, but the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. That includes suicide. We as a church must stand together with those who are struggling to bring them to that abundant life.
You are not alone. You are loved by God and others. You have a purpose.
