Will suicide send someone to hell?
This question gets asked so many times, in fact just this week a friend of mine asked me that very question. My response would be “prevention is better than cure.”
Reality
Through all the very real life experiences the suicidal person is going through, no matter how difficult or how pointless the ‘battle of life’ seems, it’s important to remember that there is always a solution, always a way out, and a reason to carry on and live.
I for one know exactly what it’s like to want to end it all. I’ve been through this three times in my life, three major events that caused me to want to end it all.
In hindsight I now see that every mountain eventually got turned into a mole hill (or was it that I perceived the mole hill to be the size of a mountain?)
Regret
I think about the people in my life that I will leave behind should I no longer be here. They certainly are not better off without me, their lives would be ruined for ever and the giant hole I would leave in their soul because of my deadly actions would be catastrophic.
Salvation & Heaven
The Bible is very clear that the only way we have eternal life with God in heaven is through a relationship with Jesus and having repented of our sin.
If I were to murder someone, I would spend time in jail, but God would forgive me if I asked Him to and if I repented and made a 180 degree turn from a life of murder.
Suicide is also called self-murder. Now, in self-murder there isn’t room for repentance because you’re dead, there is no room for repentance because you can’t make a 180 degree turn from the sin.
Origin
Suicide generally comes from a place of utter hopelessness, loneliness and despair. By committing suicide, I am indirectly saying that not even Jesus can rescue me from the darkness I find myself in – and that just simply isn’t true. Jesus’ blood is all powerful, conquers all things and forgives sin. It sets me free when I am captive and bound, and restores hope.
Having said all that, I do know that God’s grace and mercy is amazing, but He is also a just judge. There is no knowing how God will react to you when eternal judgement comes your way should you commit suicide. He may forgive you and pardon your sin, and He might not. It’s a risk I am not willing to take.
My Reality of Hope
I know this is much easier said than done. I was terribly depressed last year, and I also thought I would never get through it, but God did pull me out of the darkness, in more ways than one, and restored me. It took time, lots of prayer, many mind-set changes and even a few life coaching sessions. It also required an intervention of me removing myself from the situation where my depression was rooted. I found great healing in an amazing church I recently discovered which has a healthy environment that could help me, could meet my needs, and help restore my life. Because of that, I now in turn became beneficial to those around me.
My point is this – God gave life to me, for very specific reasons. I don’t always understand them, I don’t always feel that I want to exist and live, I sometimes don’t see the point; but even in my darkest days I realize that God gave life to me. Out of a million, He literally chose me, with all my flaws, faults, difficulties and complexities.
I choose to live, because I know He has a plan for my life, and if I approach life through His eyes, everything becomes clearer.
I speak from tangible experience and success, that God has lead me through the valley of the shadow of death plenty of times, and has brought me into His glorious light.
Whether you have contemplated suicide or even attempted it, just know that life is so precious and you are valuable, even though you might not feel that way!
Hang in there my precious friend, God has a massive plan for your life. You have to hold on and hang onto His promise of victory and breakthrough.
If you’re depressed or feel lonely please click on the banner below and make contact with us today!