"Between 40 and 60% of those individuals who committed suicide were intoxicated at the time of their deaths, 7 and 10% had evidence of other drugs in their bodies at the time of their death. Many of those who commit suicide consume alcohol as a way to steal their courage before taking their lives, while others commit suicide impulsively while intoxicated." Doweiko, H.E. (2019). Concepts of Chemical Dependency. Boston: Cengage. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Suicide occurs because of a delusion of the truth. Almost all of us have been impacted by someone who has taken their own life. Those of us standing in the land of the living, need to do all we can to give courage and truth to those who are free falling into the entrapment of suicide. Speaking the truth about this delusion with encouragement literally pours courage into the heart of those looking for the courage to find a way out. Three leading lies embody the snares of suicide, and they are identified in Scripture as a suicide preventative strategy. We must expose the lies humanity believes in the temptation of suicide for the well-being of our society.
One leading lie in the temptation of suicide is that "I can handle all of my circumstances without the assistance of others." God never intended for his creation to live in isolation. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There are times that God himself predicts that we would need the assistance of others. (Galatians 6:2-3) 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Reaching out for help in an overwhelming circumstance is natural.
A second leading lie in the temptation of suicide is that "there is no way to handle my circumstances besides forcing my way out." God promises He would help us to find a way through the trial. Escaping is a natural response when pressure is building up, but Biblical truth in the trial is God's release valve. The 1 Corinthian passage previously stated has definite language about the potential outcome of our trials: God is faithful, ye are able, and ye may be able to bear it. God actually promises a way through a particular trial with no need to force one's way out of life.
A third leading lie in the temptation of suicide is the idea that "our circumstances are unique, and no one else will understand." 1 Corinthians 10:13 helps shed light on the subject by explicitly stating all trials are common categorically to mankind. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. All of our trials are common to mankind and others may identify with a similar struggle and may walk with you through the trial. Additionally, God (Jesus) not only gives us power to get through the struggle but understands our feelings. (Hebrews 4:15-16) 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. There are no doubt times of darkness in the proverbial shadows of life: When you cannot trace God's hand, trust His heart.
Take courage. Reach out for HELP! Reach out to people you know. Reach out to a physician for care. Reach out to a Pastoral counselor who cares. "Suicide prevention includes a range of interventions focused on community or organizational gatekeepers whose contact with potentially vulnerable populations provides an opportunity to identify at-risk individuals and direct them to appropriate assessment and treatment. Gatekeepers include clergy, first responders, pharmacists, geriatric caregivers, personnel staff, and those employed in institutional settings, such as schools, prisons, and the military." Mann JJ, Apter A, Bertolote J, et al. Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Systematic Review. JAMA. 2005;294(16):2064–2074. doi:10.1001/jama.294.16.2064
TAKE COURAGE!
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