I met a woman at a conference a few years back. She came up to me after I spoke. She confessed that suicidal thoughts ambushed her as painful intruders. I hugged her and expressed grief that this was a daily battle for her, one that had gone on a long time. I gave her a new perspective as I described that suicidal thoughts can be, for some, a regular temptation. Put in those terms she had a different way to battle.
Suicidal thoughts may be a temptation. We don’t often think of it this way, but it can be a dark invitation from the enemy. Jesus faced this temptation when Satan suggested He jump from the pinnacle of the temple. Weakened by hunger and exhaustion as He was, this was a real temptation. But Jesus would neither presume on God’s mercy nor devalue life—for God loves life.
“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” asks the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”
God does not delight in the death of anyone.
People who think about suicide or attempt suicide are, as we all know, experiencing some combination of physical pain, spiritual pain, and emotional pain. Sleeplessness or exhaustion can add to the mix. Some may be motivated by fear of facing the “real world:” The adult world of responsibility. Within each individual, it is a unique storm, but the element of spiritual pain can be profound for there is a real enemy that hates life.
What do we do with this temptation? If you are walking alongside someone who is assailed with these thoughts you may suggest that prayer become a part of their safety plan.
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
You can print the verses from Ephesian 6 and pray through them, armor piece by armor piece. You can make a shield and a helmet and a sword and add them to a hope box. You can offer to pray with them and even build a prayer team.
Prayer shows love and concern. It is a way to reach through the isolation, sleep deprivation, and pain to say, “I am here. I see your pain, and you are not alone.” You can pray that they will stand firm against the temptation, because prayer takes them to the One who gives life and loves life.