As a priest, I have confronted the heartbreaking reality of suicide in our world. It is a tragedy that many people experience such desperation that they believe the best way forward is to end their own lives. In response, those left behind are beset by a range of complex questions and a unique form of grief. Despite these harsh realities, I assure you, the Bible offers hope to both those considering suicide and those affected by it.
Those who are desperate, I implore you to recognize, suicide is far from being the best option. The Bible affirms that in Christ, there is hope (1 Peter 1:3). You are certainly not alone in your despair. The Bible is replete with accounts of those who grappled with deep despair. We learn of Solomon, who in his pursuit of pleasure, came to “hate life” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Elijah, too, confronted fear and depression, even yearning for death at times (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah was so filled with anger at God that he wished to die (Jonah 4:8). Even the Apostle Paul and his companions once confessed to being “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
However, each of them discovered a path out of despair. Solomon learned to “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Elijah found comfort in the ministration of an angel and was given a renewed purpose. Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God, allowing him to grow. Paul learned that although the pressure he faced was beyond his capacity, God could handle everything: “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
You too, can experience the comfort found in Jesus Christ. You must only turn to Him. Paul reassured believers, writing, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you are a child of God, you have the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3–14), and you have continual access to God in prayer.
The book of Hebrews reinforces the empathy of Jesus Christ, our high priest. It states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15–16).
Even from a theological perspective, remember that God, as our Creator, has the authority to decide when and how a person should die. We must affirm with the psalmist, “My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15).
If you find yourself contemplating suicide, let me beg you to seek help immediately. Contact the US national hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, or get yourself to a hospital or call 911. There are numerous resources available, such as the National Hopeline Network, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and international suicide hotlines.
For those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, remember that God is sovereign, and our days are in His hands. You can come to God with your grief (1 Peter 5:6–7), and invite fellow believers to mourn with you (Romans 12:15).
Suicide is indeed a sin against God and against fellow human beings. However, it isn’t the determinant of one’s eternal destiny. The determinant of our eternal destiny rests solely on God’s grace. Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ have been fully forgiven of every sin, and given eternal life; those who reject Him remain condemned (John 3:16–18, 36; Ephesians 2:1–10).
As a priest, I want to extend God’s love, hope, and grace to every person grappling with these thoughts. The Bible assures us that there is always a way to life, comfort, and eternal hope. Trust in Him, and lean on His love.
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