Last night I read
news about JarridWilson, a US megachurch pastor committing
suicide. As my usual habit would have me, I quickly jotted down a few thoughts regarding Suicide and whatsApped to my circle of friends. I realized it was a bit lengthy
for a typical WhatsApp post. Moreover, because of my quick typing, I had committed a few mistakes in
it. So, I decided to have a minor edit and publish it on this blog.
So, here are the ten
reasons (or as a friend of mine would have it) ’10 soothing truths to know
for those contemplating committing suicide:’
1.
Only God gives life and has the right to take life. (1 Samuel 2:6-7). The context of this passage is Hannah rejoicing
in the Lord for an answered prayer after many, many years of bitterness,
weeping and anguish of her soul!
2.
Your life is not your life, especially if you are in Christ. Your past and even future accusations are
already crucified. You are made blameless before God (Gal. 2:20).
3. The
Loving-kindness of God is better than the PLEASURES or the PROBLEMS of life (Ps. 63:3). He has demonstrated that at the cross. The
context is King David was made to flee away from his own son. He was betrayed
and was desperately longing for God’s loving-kindness.
4.
Everyone struggles with sins. He that is holiest feels the most wretchedness
(Rom. 7). Battling sins and
temptations (and even failings) with grief and convictions are actually the
signs of growing in sanctification and are pleasing unto God.
5.
Nothing can separate us from Jesus— neither sins
nor mental retardation, Alzheimer, sickness, persecution, devils or anything. Trust Jesus for who He said to be, not because of
what your circumstances made you feel (Rom. 8).
6.
If there's any area in our life to consider, it's waiting on God for
deliverance (Ps. 130). He often looked slow
from our perspective, but He always delivered in a way that we normally don’t
understand at the moment of crisis. The family of Moses
waited 80 years to see the deliverance of God. Abraham waited 25 years for a
promised child.
7. Suicide doesn't cure the struggle, rather the struggle is
passed on and is often multiplied upon the survivors. It's one thing to be tagged as a selfish
act, and another thing to make the loved ones miserable.
8. Btw, Suicide is sin like any other sins, but a sin that you
could not repent of because life is over. However, even it cannot take you away from the fold of God. God’s
provision is greater than the deception of Suicide. (cf. Psalm 139)
9. Our true happiness and purpose are
found in pleasing the Lord— through knowing God more. And the more we live the more we experience God truer. In the
end, nothing we do or don't do changes the election of God. He is able to keep
his child from falling away forever (Jude 24).
10. You are not alone struggling it. Talk about it. Seek out for
help! Biblical figures like Moses,
Elijah, and Jonah anticipated death.
On the flip side, the world has lots of fun to explore such as Niagara
Falls, Grand Canyon, marital love, etc.,
but yes, they fade away in comparison to the New Earth with Christ. Even then,
we can live and are commanded to live anticipating for the imminent return of
Christ, the Author of perfect and complete deliverance. We long for His return,
and not we going our own way to Him.
NOTE: I do not know
Pastor Jarrid Wilson. I am not writing about him nor about his struggles. I
mention his name just because the news triggered me to write about
Suicide especially when the world is
observing World Suicide Prevention Day
recently. As far as that news is
concerned, I would encourage the readers
to just pray for his wife and his children!