People of all different beliefs and ages can become suicidal, even preteens. Suicidal feelings are in response either to anti-depressants, mistreatment of some kind, including bullying, feeling very sad at the pain and sadness or death of others, or over something bad you yourself have done. Such a response is also is a result of some level of hatred for God, because you are desiring to kill what is made in his image, yourself, without his permission to do so.
What Happens to People Who Commit Suicide
If a person who was not forgiven of their sins by God commits suicide, they will end up in Hell and suffer forever in sorrow after they are judged before God, the angels, and the humans who were forgiven. Their sins will also be revealed to others who will also be judged and sentenced to Hell. A saved person (meaning saved from a continual life of torment), is unlikely to commit suicide, but if they did, they would be forgiven and the promise of the gift of perfect eternal peace and comfort that God gave to them would still remain. Some people might think that if they commit suicide, but “weren’t Christian” or “weren’t forgiven of their sins” that they would still get eternal life/make it to Heaven and/or be resurrected because of the sadness and trauma they went through, but the Bible is clear that there is no such exception, as shown by this verse:
worldly grief produces death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10
So, sorrow over offending God and wanting to please him, aka “godly sorrow” will lead to eternal life, but sadness over anything else will not, but God often uses the non-god-centered sorrow people have to prepare them for the temporary sorrow that leads to eternal joy.
Atheists Are Not Exempt From God’s Judgment
Though atheists who are suicidal or who attempt suicide may claim not to believe in him, it’s still an act of hatred towards him, because it’s clear that he exists, but they deliberately ignore the evidence. It’s no different then a person pretending that someone they hate doesn’t exist, and putting on headphones when they hear them. The ultimate solution to getting rid of suicidal feelings, for a person who hasn’t been forgiven of their sins, is to get forgiven, and not just of past sins, which is impossible, but all sins, meaning the ones you haven’t committed yet. For a person who is already forgiven, the Bible says this (and how not to treat those who are sad):
let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. – Proverbs 25:20
Many suicidal non-Christian and false Christians will respond angrily at being told that they need God’s forgiveness, especially if their sadness and anger is over having been mistreated for doing what was right or deeds that they refuse to believe were wrong, especially if they lost someone that they greatly loved. Narcissists (mentally ill people with little conscience who have poor ability being humble and content with little attention) especially hate to be told that their evil is not good and that they should stop being evil. A false Christian or unsaved person may react very hatefully to even a peacefully given message like, “You need to be forgiven of your sins,” as they may already think they are a good person and/or forgiven, and especially being hurt may feel like they are being attacked even more, even if the person who says that to them says it compassionately and respectfully to them. However, because God is the one who is needed to change a person’s heart to become good, a prideful person will not necessarily respond angrily to such a message. But, if you know a person reacts violently to such messages, then the Bible says not to even associate with them, unless you are (legitimately) married to them:
Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. – Proverbs 22:24-25
The story of Job also shows that attacking a saved person in their sorrow and physical suffering over assumptions that they are in such a state over having sinned, is an evil thing.
PREVENTING YOURSELF FROM DESPAIRING
Rid Yourself of Worry and Riches That Stand In The Way of Healing
A parable of Jesus: “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:16-32
Relieving Worry Through Prayer
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7
Rid Yourself of Impatience and Anger That Stands In the Way of Healing
whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:14-15
For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For they have no pangs until death;
their bodies are fat and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
violence covers them as a garment.
Their eyes swell out through fatness;
their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against the heavens,
and their tongue struts through the earth. …
Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors!
Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord,
when you rouse yourself,
you despise them as phantoms. …
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.
– Psalm 73:3,9,12,18-20,27
Be calm before Yahweh and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
– Psalms 37:7-11
Don’t be quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
– Ecclesiastes 7:9
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce
the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20
If one gives an answer before he listens,
it is his folly and shame. – Proverbs 18:13
don’t take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath.
For it is written, “‘Vengeance belongs to me.
I will pay them back,’ declares the Lord.”
– Romans 12:19
Rid Yourself of Pride That Stands In the Way of Healing
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2
Pride precedes the face of destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:18
One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
– Proverbs 29:23
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor. – Proverbs 18:12
What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness,
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.
– Mark 7:20-23
He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9
Thinking About What Yeshua Suffered To Relieve Your Own Suffering
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. – Hebrews 12:1-3
Is Sadness, Depression, Unhappiness an Evil, Abnormal Unhealthy, a Bad Thing That Leads to Punishment from God?
grief that is in accordance with the Deity’s way produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. – 2 Corinthians 7:10
He delivered righteous Lot, who had been oppressed by the behavior of the lawless in lustfulness. For that righteous one, living among them day after day, in seeing and in hearing, his righteous soul was tormented over their lawless deeds. – 2 Peter 2:7-8
[Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet … And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it – Luke 19:28,29,41
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:4
Remember the Positive
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8
What About Those Who Don’t Know What to Pray For or Who Aren’t Good at Praying?
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:26-39
the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. … comfort one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
For Those Who Are Saved
The Bible makes it clear that you will have great trouble in life if you are saved and yet disobey God (such troubles can lead to suicidal feelings when the trouble becomes great and happens often):
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
– Psalm 34:12-15
Prayer of the Saved
Those who are saved, by their prayers (if they are being obedient to God) can also help prevent a person from becoming suicidal, so, seek out those who are saved to pray for you if you want to prevent yourself or others from having such feelings.
The eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of Yahweh is against those
who do evil, to blot out their name
from the earth. – Psalm 34:16
Confess [your] faults one to another,
and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed;
the superior and intense
prayer of a righteous man
accomplishes much. – James 5:16
Some Final Words
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than whoever takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16