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Recently
a popular comedian was found dead in his home.
He had committed suicide. For
reasons we may not fully comprehend, he was a man who was troubled to the point
of ending his own life. It is not a
subject I take lightly so I want to be careful not to sensationalize what has
gripped the attention of the world. I
also don’t want to minimize how deeply this has impacted survivors of this
unfortunate tragedy.
Despite
all the soul searching, I honestly cannot say I understand suicide. Nor do I pretend to. I’m not saying I don’t know what events that
often lead to the thoughts of suicide.
Most people can give typical reasons for why a person loses hope and
eventually surrenders their life. The
reasons can range from depression, terminal illness, chronic pain, alcohol and
drug abuse, loneliness, failed marriages, loss of a job, and so on. It’s typically the missing piece of the
puzzle that is the “one thing” that pushes a person over the edge.
It’s
in times like this that people search for answers. Anything to explain how something like this
can happen. However some deal with their
problems, they often don’t let on to those who really know them how close they
are to the edge.
This
is also a time when Christians often try to offer words of encouragement. Pastors, leaders, and Christian counselors
typically point people to Scripture and offer theological advice. Words, though, seem so inadequate. Sometimes they can come across as cold and
distant. I am certain that is not the
intention of any Christian. It’s only
that Christians understand a truth that is relevant to these discussions and
that is Jesus is the Answer.
As a
Christian, I understand that suicide is not the answer. Let me say this again because it’s worth
repeating. Suicide is not the
answer. I don’t say this to belittle
anyone who has had thoughts toward this end.
It’s not something that can be easily explained away. Anything that can drive a person to the point
of reaching the end is something that needs serious attention. The point is that in whatever situation a
person finds himself or herself, Jesus is the only One who can turn that
person’s life around.
In
writing this post, I’m not trying to give the impression that I know more than
Christian Scholars and Theologians. In
fact, I think there are several posts and articles written by others on this
subject that are more noteworthy. This
blog found at Bible
Gateway gives a scripturally based response to depression. It’s worth noting that God doesn't condemn
anyone for his/her feelings, even depression.
Can certain attitudes and behaviors, like anxiety, be wrong in God’s
eyes? Sure. We may be self-absorbed or focused only on
selfish wants and desires. But true
feelings of sadness, loneliness, or depression seems different. Certainly this is a multifaceted
subject. There’s no one right answer
because we’re all unique and we all have problems that are specific to our
situations. One thing that I do see as a
source of hope is God. He is the
constant that we can rely on and He can be the anchor for our lives and our
souls. One of the greatest needs in the
life of someone who is contemplating his/her end is relationship. Human relationships may help in a temporal
way. However, when God offers Himself to
us we have access to a relationship that is much deeper, significant, and
eternal.
In the
same way, at Patheos
there’s an article that backs up this idea of a relationship with God being the
answer to man’s greatest need. Or as the
author puts it, the Ultimate Christian Gift.
The author emphasizes on what a relationship with God brings, and that’s
unconditional love.
I
agree with these writers that a relationship with God is a key element in
combating these deep emotional issues. I
say this in regards to those who are able to rationally think about the choices
they are making. For the most part,
that’s me. Though I can be an emotional
wreck and believe that suicide would be a quick way out, I am also still able
to rationally think about the choices before me. And I do.
I think about God and what He would think about the choice I am about to
make. Since God is my Creator, would He
be okay with me circumventing His authority over my life by taking it myself?
The
question, then, is what about those that do take their own life? Have they made the ultimate error and
committed the unforgivable sin? This is
a complex issue and I’m probably not qualified to answer this. But in my limited understanding about God and
Scripture, there’s a time when we become accountable for our choices and
lives. For example, a baby is born into
this world with a sin nature. If a baby
dies without being able to accept Jesus as his/her Lord and Savior, does that
mean the baby doesn't go to heaven?
There is a debate on this but I tend to follow John MacArthur’s logic on
this issue. You’ll have to read it
yourself to understand.
Now take this same argument and apply it
to mental and emotional disabilities. My
point being is that it’s possible that those who are not able to consciously
make proper choices may not be held to the same level of accountability as
someone with a sound mind and body.
Let’s say a Christian develops Alzheimer’s. Obviously, this is a debilitating disease
that leaves little doubt as to the ability of rational reason or thought. If this Christian commits suicide, is he/she
then in sin and unable to reconcile with God?
Or should we say a Christian can’t take their own life because of
Alzheimer’s?
Again, I point to the fact that this is a
complex issue. We’re not always talking
about people making rational decisions.
Often, there are those that are going through deeply emotional and
psychological issues. It would be naive
to think that these issues pertained only to nonbelievers. For certain, pain and sorrow and even illness
are a part of life for the Christian as well.
People
are sometimes diagnosed as clinically depressed. It’s a more severe form of depression. People are also diagnosed as having a wide
range of mental and emotional disorders.
With that being said, I’m not as certain to say that when a person is
sick that he/she has the full mental capacity and clarity of choice. It’s possible this person could commit
suicide. Believers and non-believers suffer
alike, go through pain, and sometimes are not aware of the choices they are
making. Can we say that one person was
more fully aware of choice than another if there’s suicide? Maybe not.
Does that somehow point to an obscure fact that this couldn't have been
a Christian? I don’t think so. In my estimation, only God is able to
determine that.
What
is clear to me is that suicide is a problem the church and the community must
deal with together. Anyone who is fully
aware of his/her choice, it needs to be crystal clear that suicide is not the
answer. For a person struggling with
this on a conscious level needs to realize that there is a God who loves
him/her. For the Christian, the
relationship with God and knowing His Holy Spirit resides in us ought to give
us hope and strength. Relationship is
such a strong, emotional anchor that grounds us to reality. How much more impactful is a relationship
with the Creator of the universe?
For the unbeliever, hope may be
fleeting. Where can one go? You may be able to muster the strength to
make it through the drudgery of life. However,
a greater bet is to place your security in the One who holds the balance of
your life, body and soul, in His hands.
What a great tragedy it is for anyone to go through life without knowing
how much God loves and the extent to what He will go through for us. And for someone to end their life without
that hope and the knowledge of that truth is what is truly tragic.
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