By
Kevin Rutherford
Suicide is a very complicated issue. It is
one that we cannot be flippant about and careless with. This is a discussion
that should always be accompanied by caution, compassion, and care. If anyone
reading this article has come to such a condition that you have had thoughts of
suicide, please seek professional and spiritual help. You are important.
It is likely that in many cases the one who
commits suicide is not capable of thinking in a rational manner. Perhaps a
chemical imbalance or some other clinical factor is involve, creating extreme
depression and an inability to think correctly. There are situations where
clinical treatment can help an individual suffering from imbalances of
chemicals in the brain, and as long as the individuals are receiving treatment
the condition is kept under control. In some cases there have been people who
have stopped receiving the treatment and have then committed suicide because
they were not able to think correctly without the medicine. In such cases I
would not suggest in any way the individual is lost eternally because of the
act of suicide.
There may at times be spiritual problems
that lead to thoughts of suicide, but we must not assume that is always the
case. Some Christians who have appeared to be very strong spiritually have
considered, attempted, or committed suicide. So let me say again, suicide is a
very complicated issue. It is one that we cannot be flippant about or careless
with. Any discussion of suicide should be accompanied by caution, compassion,
and care. In fact, we need to steer clear of broad sweeping statements that
would declare every suicide an evil and sinful act.
Consider compassion for those whose level
of depression, discouragement, and despair have brought them to the point of
wanting to take their own lives.
Taking one’s own life results in extreme
torment and misery for years to come for family and friends. Those considering
suicide should consider the effect of this action upon others, should consider
the effect of this action upon others, should consider the God given value of
their lives, and should not be ashamed to seek professional help.
Job suffered immensely. His children had
been killed, he lost his wealth, and he suffered from a painful disease (Job
1-2). In fact, he suffered so much he wished he had been still born (Job
3:11-19). He desperately hoped he would die and longed for death as though
death were a treasure (Job 3:20-26). His wife shared in all of the suffering
except the painful disease. She encouraged Job to just go ahead and curse God
and die (Job 2:7-10). She was either encouraging him to just give up on life
and perhaps die that way, or she was encouraging him to commit suicide. Despite
the intense suffering Job endured, he did not commit suicide. That was not the
answer. That was not the right approach. Job became desperately miserable and
upset as he demanded God to tell him why he was suffering. Yet, he did not turn
to suicide.
Elijah suffered immensely. He lived in a
very violent and dangerous time (1 Kings 18-19). Many prophets of God, like
himself, had been killed by the orders of Ahab and Jezebel. After Elijah
defeated the prophets of Baal, Jezebel promised she would kill him. Elijah’s
situation became so discouraging to him that he asked God to just go ahead and
kill him (1 Kings 19:4). In other words, Elijah thought death may be better
than having to live the way he was living. Yet Elijah did not commit suicide,
and God wouldn’t take his life either.
At one point Moses was so overwhelmed by
the intense pressure and load of leading a stubborn and rebellious nation that
he just wanted to die (Numbers 11:11-15). He thought death would be better than
the situation he was suffering through. He asked God to kill him. Despite all
of this Moses did not commit suicide.
Job, Elijah, and Moses are all examples of
righteous people who wanted to die. They wanted God to end it for them. In all
three cases God left them to suffer here on this earth for a time. In none of
these cases did these suffering servants of God who desperately longed for
death commit suicide.
Having said, this, if any of you reading
this have considered, or are considering suicide, please seek help. God loves,
you are important, and your life is important. Don’t throw away the gift of
life God has given you. You are a steward over your life and you have been
created to use that life in service of God. If you ever doubt your importance
to God, please remember the lengths to which He has gone so that you can spend
an eternity in heaven with Him someday. The suffering Jesus endured as He took
the wrath and death we deserve is great evidence of your tremendous value. It
is also evidence that He understands tremendous grief and pain. Don’t give up.
Please seek help.
