Flowing from grief and loss come the familiar feelings and thoughts of wanting to escape the current pain you’re experiencing. Those thoughts are normal. You never thought of pain so bad, so intense, so unrelenting. You may even begin thinking you can’t make it without your loved one. One thought leads to another, and before you know it, you might have even considered taking your own life or how you would plan to do that. Suicide is not the solution. Please ask for help.
When your thought life has developed a pattern of suicidal thinking, it’s absolutely the time right now to ask for help. You need another voice in your life immediately. The problem you’re facing right now, on top of all the pain and sorrow, is that the only person you’ve been talking to is yourself, and you’re not getting good counsel. Suicide is a painful, long-lasting decision to a short-term problem. It will wreak havoc on your family, friends, and those who care for you. Find someone you can trust and speak with them.
The fleeting thoughts of wanting to escape the pain are normal. Even our brother Paul, the great Apostle and servant of God, had brief thoughts of leaving this world and joining God in the heavenly eternity.
For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live. Phil 1:21-24 (NLT)
Never neglect or ignore a pattern of suicidal thoughts in your life. Reach out to someone right away. You’re right, it may be difficult, challenging, and even humbling, but your life is worth it. Allow someone to walk this path with you. Better yet, invite someone into your life at this exact pain point.
What you can do if you feel suicidal:
- Call 9 1 1 or go to your local emergency room.
- Call a friend, a family member, doctor, pastor, church, or counselor immediately and tell that person you’re feeling suicidal.
- Call a suicide helpline 24/7 like 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Put this phone number into your contacts list to have with you at any time.
The Bible is filled with many men and women crying out to God in the middle of their distress. Most Psalms are filled with David’s heart-felt cries amidst extraordinary, trying circumstances. Turn to the Bible, open it to the book of Psalms, and begin reading, expecting the Lord Jesus Christ to minister to your heart. You can also visit the website GriefShare.org and look through the resources there and find a group to meet with in your area to help you in this challenging season of grief.
Here’s a suggested prayer you can speak to God:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I’m overwhelmed. I don’t like thinking or feeling the way I am right now, and I want this all to stop. Help me remember that You see my tears and hear my every thought. I am frozen and don’t know what to do or who to turn to. Help me to trust that You are with me, even now, and to trust is no problem or situation too big for You to handle. Guide and direct me to the person or the help I need. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for the Bible because it points me to hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
