2 Samuel 17:23- “When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.”
One of my extended family members got an alarming phone call a few days ago. A good friend had just committed suicide.
There were seven people in the Bible who committed suicide (Abimelech, Samson, King Saul and his armor bearer, King Zimri, Ahithophel, and Judas Iscariot).
Since Bible times, cases of suicide have been rising each year at an alarming rate.
I am writing about this today, not to debate whether God will forgive this particular sin or not. There are many differing opinions on the internet for those of you who are interested in pursuing this question.
What I am focused on today is what we can do, as Christians, to help people in our lives that are struggling with heavy issues.
1-Bathe them in prayer, offer encouragement, extend a listening ear and friendship.
2-Share scripture about God’s love. There are hundreds of such verses in the Bible. The internet has lists which can be accessed easily.
3-Refer them to the pastor or Bible Study leader for spiritual counseling when you feel their problem goes beyond your ability to help.
4-Statistics tell us that most people who commit suicide have been suffering from depression. So, if they don’t seem to be getting better as the days and weeks go by, help them find an agency dealing specifically with suicide prevention. State and local agencies are listed on the internet. They are literally a phone call away. They offer encouragement, psychological, and/or medical assistance.
**Here are a few of the signs of depression to look for: low mood, low self-esteem, loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. They may have occasional delusions or hallucinations. Suicide attempts often occur due to family history, chronic pain/health problems/disabilities, and/or substance abuse.
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