Understanding God's Hope and Help for Suicidal Thoughts
Having suicidal thoughts? You are not alone. You are loved beyond measure. Understand God's infinite love for you through these Bible verses of hope.
Choose Life with God's Strength:
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.
Psalm 31:14-16 - But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Philippians 4:12-13 - I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Psalm 33:20-22 - We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
How do I tap into God’s strength in order to keep choosing life?
Know God’s unconditional love. His love is eternal and knows no boundaries. It can reach the darkest places in the world, both externally and internally. His love and strength are with you in all moments, through every trial and tribulation. His love reigns forever.
Remember God’s power is far greater than the enemy. The light of God shines brightly even in the depths of darkness. 1 John 5:18 reminds us that we are born of God and cannot be touched by the evil one. For more about choosing life and defeating the enemy, read: Life is Worth Fighting For
Call to God. He Understands:
Psalm 6:6-9 - All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies. Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.
Psalm 13:2-3 - How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Psalm 30:10-12 - Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord. You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Psalm 94:17-19 - Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
How can I call out to God? I don’t think he’s hearing me.
Pray constantly and earnestly. Jesus encourages his followers to consistently pray and communicate with God in all aspects of life. Whether we are in a time of contentment and peace, or in a season of pain and grief, our conversations with God should remain steadfast. He is listening and present at all times. For more on prayer, read: How to Pray
The Holy Spirit is always within us. 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 speak of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our midst. Our bodies are a temple of God, and a home for His spirit.
God Knows You. He Has a Plan for You:
Psalm 139:13-16 -For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 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.
Why don’t I feel like God cares or has a purpose for me? How do I discover His purpose for me?
Seek Him every day. When it feels like God has not answered your prayers, this does not mean that He has not heard them. His plans may take you through a different route than you personally expected. Or, perhaps the timing of His will and other related elements are still in motion. However, if we pursue God in every moment, we will find His direction for us.
God has always known your path. Psalm 139:14-16 teaches us that God knows the course of our life from its very beginning. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” For more on who God says that you are, read: Who Does God Say That You Are?
If you or a friend need support right now, please visit the suicide prevention resource page. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
