The ONE Reason You Should NOT Commit Suicide!
Last week I heard about two people attempting suicide, and it broke my heart. I literally had to just stop what I was doing and focus on breathing.
The thing is, I get it. I know what it’s like to want to commit suicide. I’ve been very open about the fact that I was once in that exact place in my own life, and it’s by God’s grace I did not step across that line.
If you are reading this right now and considering taking your own life – let me share with you why you should NOT do it.
The POTENTIAL is greater than the PAIN!
If you are in a suicidal state of mind it’s because the pain in your life has become unbearable.
You’ve tried everything to deal with it, and yet your world just seems to keep getting darker and darker.
One of the things I learned in my personal battle with this is the reality of John 10:10. We really do have an enemy, and his goal is to rob us of LIFE!
Looking back now I can clearly see the POTENTIAL in my life was far greater than the PAIN I was experiencing. However, if you had told me that when I was going through my battle I wouldn't have believed you.
I thought I was the only one who felt the way I felt.
I believed that no one would understand.
However, I now know that those self-damning thoughts were from the enemy and were meant to destroy my life.
At this point I know some of you are telling me, “But Perry, you don’t know me or my story.”
You’re right!
I don’t!
However, I do know what it’s like to be where you are.
And I know that in those seemingly endless days of darkness I had to fight hard to focus my thoughts on Christ. As I began to try my best to “fix my mind on Christ” (Hebrews 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-2) I finally saw that suicide would have been the single most selfish decision I could have made.
It might have relieved the pain…but it would have caused so much more as I would have caused an overwhelming amount of suffering for my wife, my daughter, my friends and my church.
If you are considering taking your own life let me assure you Jesus knows what it’s like to have dark days…
- To have people you love turn their back on you.
- To feel alone.
- To be persecuted, lied about and beaten and alone.
Jesus suffered and DIED on a Friday.
And on Saturday, the seeming silence of God undoubtedly caused quite a few questions and concerns for those who had put their trust in Jesus.
Then on Sunday He rose…
And we celebrate that!!!
However, let’s go back to Saturday!
If you would have asked any of His followers on Saturday, “is the pain you experiencing now greater than the potential of your future” and they would have said yes!!
I have a feeling they felt forgotten by God, abandoned by Jesus, confused about their circumstances and desperately wanted relief.
But Sunday came (Sunday always comes!) And…the cross is proof that God can take any amount of pain in our lives and use it for progress.
The cross is evidence that even when things seem chaotic, out of control and painful that God is Sovereign, in complete control and really will use all things for His glory!
The cross is the symbol that screams God really can take a mess and turn it into a miracle.
Finally, if you are considering taking your own life let me sincerely beg you not to. You matter. You are too important and the world needs you to battle through the pain so you can help other people one day battle through theirs.
Don’t let the enemy lie to you, tell you that you are unimportant and you will NOT be missed.
It’s just not true.
And…if you are considering doing this, please, take it from someone who has been exactly where you have been…talk to someone you know and trust. If you don’t have someone like that then call us at NewSpring.
I know from personal experience the day I confessed this to a friend was the day the power of the desire to take my own life was broken in me…and I believe the same will happen for you.
You are way too important and you matter too much to God for suicide to be the solution.
He did it for me…and He will do it for you as well.