Called To Live: Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts
A lot of us have had suicidal thoughts at different times in our lives, especially when things seem extremely difficult and painful. You are not alone! Life has a way of taking over at times and we can become emotionally overwhelmed. We can feel hopeless, defeated and we lose our joy and our peace. Sometimes, everything hits us at once and we don’t know what to do. Or maybe we’ve done something that we can’t forgive ourselves for. The hopelessness, guilt, and shame that we feel can be so overwhelming we just want the pain to stop. We get so mentally, emotionally, and physically depleted that we want to give up. Sometimes, it feels like it would be easier to just end it all. But just because we have those fleeting thoughts, doesn’t mean that we have to continue to rehearse them or follow through with the act. They’re just thoughts and we have the choice and power to change those thoughts.
What we rehearse in our minds dictates our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We can change our thoughts and our perspectives just by changing what we focus on. Our self-talk is extremely important. We can talk ourselves into or out of anything just by what we choose to think about. When we focus on gratitude…it can change our whole outlook on life. Sometimes we have to dig deep in order to find things we are grateful for but we have a lot to be thankful for. It may not seem like it at the time but we are very blessed. Putting on the garment of praise is the antidote for the spirit of heaviness. We can choose to meditate on the negative things or we can choose to meditate on the positive things. Which one do you think will bring you more peace of mind? In Philippians 4:8 NIV, Paul says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” When you fill your mind with good thoughts, there’s no room for negative ones.
If you’re struggling to stay focused on the good things, focus on Jesus Himself. In Matthew 14:22-33 NIV, Jesus calls Peter to walk on the water towards him and the minute that Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, he starts to sink. Jesus reaches out His hand to help him and says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When we’re feeling depleted, in pain, or don’t know what to do…call out to Jesus. Ask Him to help you and rest in knowing that He will fight your battles (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV). He will give you rest. In Matthew 11:28-30 NIV, Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden it light.” We were not meant to carry life’s burdens alone. Jesus will carry them for us if we will let Him.
We have to have the strength, boldness, and courage to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. There’s always a solution even if we can’t see it yet. We have to be patient and wait for it. Nothing in life stays the same for long. Emotions are fickle and can change in an instant. One minute we’re happy and the next minute we’re sad. We can’t make decisions based on emotions that are temporary, especially when the outcome can be extremely devastating not only to ourselves, but to our loved ones as well. There’s nothing that has been done or that you have done that can’t be overcome. John 10:10 NIV says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; but Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the full.” Do not let Satan take what is yours and that includes your very life. We fight and we fight hard! Tell yourself this: “I will fight for my life. I will seek counseling. I will fight for my life like I would fight for my child’s life! I will leave no rock unturned. Because I am a warrior! Nobody takes my life without one heck of a fight…including me!” Repeat this as many times as necessary. If you’re in crisis or in need of a therapist or other resources, please visit our website’s resources and wellness materials sections for more information.
Grossman, D. & Christensen, L.W. (2008). On Combat. United States of America: KRG, LLC.