It’s not an accident that you’re reading these words right now. If you’re wrestling with suicidal thoughts, I am so glad you’re here. If you’re not wrestling with suicidal thoughts, I am still glad you’re here. Your life matters. The fact that you’re taking the time to read this post right now is a sign that deep down, you believe that too.
Your life is not an accident. You are seen by your loving Heavenly Father. In this moment, you are deeply loved by the God who created you and knows you by name (Matthew 10:29). He sees you. He knows you. He cherishes you. He’s aware of your pain (Psalm 56:8). And He wants so much more for your story than suicide.
I may not know you personally, but I am praying for you as I type these words.
I deeply care for you, too. If I could reach through this screen and give you a huge hug right now, I would. I want to see you live the abundant life that God has for all of His children (Psalm 16:11). Although I’m not a health professional and this isn’t a comprehensive post on this topic, I pray it will help you push the pause button for just a minute, and give you enough courage to take the next right step. Sister, your life is worth it.
If your thoughts are turning suicidal, here’s what I urge you to do right now:
1. Talk to Someone Immediately
If you’re a Christian wrestling with inner thoughts of suicide, you might be feeling too ashamed to tell someone. Maybe you believe the lie that Christians shouldn’t struggle with dark thoughts…but that’s just not true. Christians are humans like anyone else. All humans face struggles. All humans wrestle with sin. All humans experience brokenness. Choose to reject the lie that it would be shameful to tell someone about your struggle. You are not alone in this.
The best thing you can do right this minute is to speak up and tell a trusted and mature person about your suicidal thoughts. If you can’t bring yourself to tell someone you know, call the suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. The worst thing you can do for yourself is to stay quiet and try to figure this out on your own. You need help. You need the strength of others. That’s why the Bible says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
You weren’t created to bear this weight alone – but nobody can help you carry this burden unless they know about it. Please take a quick moment right now to share your struggle with someone.
2. Remind Yourself that this Present Darkness isn’t Permanent
Is there a dark cloud looming over your head? Do you feel depressed, anxious, lonely, or worthless? I don’t know what you’ve been through, but God does. He sees you and cares deeply about your pain and heartache. He sees your tears (Psalm 56:8). He wants to draw you out of this dark place and plant your feet on solid ground once again.
In moments of intense darkness where suicide seems like the right solution, remind yourself that these dark feelings aren’t telling you the truth. They’re lying to you. They are not from God, but from the enemy who wants to destroy your life (1 Peter 5:8). You must remind yourself that this present darkness isn’t permanent. The way you feel right now isn’t necessarily the way you will feel forever. By God’s grace and with His help, you can get to a place where your heart feels joy, hope, peace, and happiness once again. God’s heart longs to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).
Don’t make a permanent decision to end your life during this dark moment. Remind yourself that these feelings aren’t forever, and that there is light and hope to be found again. Cry out to God in prayer and ask Him to help you take the next right step.
3. Journal Your Thoughts to Process What You’re Thinking
Feelings can easily become dictators if we let them. Your suicidal feelings want to take you down a dark and deadly path right now, but you don’t have to listen to them. As strong and overpowering as your thoughts might be right now, God has given you the strength in Christ to resist their dark urges (1 Cor. 10:13). Maybe your thoughts feel dull, blank, and lifeless. Either way, taking a moment to write down whatever you’re thinking will help you process what is happening. Seeing your thoughts on paper will help you process externally what is happening internally.
Grab a journal or any piece of paper nearby, and write out your response to the following questions:
- What am I thinking right now?
- What happened that caused these dark thoughts to come into my mind?
- What is making me feel sad or depressed right now?
- What is one positive thing that I actually like about my life?
- What would God want me to do right now?
4. Cling to the Promise that God Sees You and Loves You
No matter how unloved, alone, and worthless you feel right now – that is not the truth about who you are. Your truest identity isn’t determined by your feelings, but by the loving God who made you. Your life matters to God because He created you and chose to bring you into this world. Your life isn’t an accident. The Creator of the world handcrafted you when you were a tiny baby in your mother’s womb.
Do you believe the words of Psalm 139:16-17? “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”
Don’t throw your life away. God has plans for you, sister! Maybe even this dark season will be a part of God’s greater story for you someday. Imagine the power of your testimony being shared one day to help others who are struggling! Don’t give up.
I am praying for you and cheering for you right now.
I care about you and want God’s best for you. If you do nothing else, please take these 4 steps seriously. For some additional helpful resources on this topic, I’ve linked some great content below and encourage you to check them out. You can also download this beautiful printable featuring 15 verses to give hope during hard times. I’ve also added the national suicide prevention numbers below as well. Sister, you are loved! Your life has immense value and worth in God’s eyes. Choose life this day.
Dealing with Depression and Doubt
Why Should I Not Commit Suicide?
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
For hearing and speech impaired with TTY equipment: 1-800-799-4TTY
Español: 1-888-628-9454
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE
