Robin Williams Death: Bible Answers for Suicidal Thoughts

My heart is heavy. I'm still reeling over the shock of comedian Robin Williams' death. While that news was an earthquake, finding out that he died by suicide was a painful aftershock. Suicide. That word brings back memories I would rather forget. As a teen and in my early 30s, I battled depression and suicidal thoughts. In my early 30's, I was already a Christian. And I still had thoughts of ending my life. A Christian counselor helped me see the light so that I could get out of the dark tunnel I was in. Because I've seen both sides of this issue, I want to give you Biblical answers for suicidal thoughts. Your thinking is where suicide begins. Now Robin Williams had everything this world says we should want:

• Money
• Power
• Fame
• Success
• Spouse/Family

And yet, this foundation was not strong enough to hold him up. The voice of suicide can come in your most vulnerable moments: "Things are bad." While you can agree on that point, if you end it there, then Suicide can depress your thoughts even further. It speaks to you in your own voice:

• "Things are not going to get any better."
• "I can't take this anymore."
• "They will be better off without me."
• "My dying will end the pain."

But every statement is a lie from the enemy. Robin was not alone in believing the lies. Even some pastors believed them - and committed suicide too as a result. So if Suicide ever tries to seduce you, you need Biblical answers for it. Let's look at each of the lies more closely. Lie #1: "Things are not going to get any better." This lie is based on the false assumption that your past equals your future. Yes, your past and your current circumstances may be bad. But the Bible is full of people who made a comeback after adversity. Read the story of Joseph (Genesis chapters 37, 39-45). Joseph's adversity started when he was sold into slavery in Egypt. However, it ended with him saving many lives when famine came into the land, including his own family. Here are two promises the Bible makes about the future for Believers:

o   "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)." o   "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)."

Lie #2: "I can't take this anymore." This lie sounds true - if all you can see are your own resources. But you are not limited to your own resources. As a Christian, God calls you to community not isolation. You have God and a community of other Believers backing you up!

o   "Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)." o   "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)."

Fellowship with other Spirtually- minded Believers is an empowering resource. You need to associate with those who are bearing Spiritual fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. If you need Christian counseling, then seek it. There is no shame in admitting you need help. Reach out for it. Don't let pride stop you.

TBYT reader Gwenda shared this information also: If you are feeling suicidal and if you don't know who to talk to, this 24/7 hotline may be a safe place to start: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The site https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ also provides guidance if somebody you know is suicidal and you don't know what to do to help them.

Then, there is the biggest promise of all that you can handle whatever life throws at you: o   "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)." The operative phrase here is "through Christ." He supplies the strength to help you endure whatever situation you are going through. For more guidance on how to overcome trials and tribulations, click here. Lie #3: "They will be better off without me." During my teenage years, I remember thinking that the world would be better off without me. Praise God, thoughts of suicide didn't go any further. I didn't want to hurt my mom. As a single mom, she had sacrificed everything to give me and my younger sister a better life. I knew my suicide would cause her unspeakable grief that would last the rest of her life. Now I'm almost 50 years old and I am glad to be alive! I know that God has a great plan for my life. He has a great plan for you too, just like he did for the prophet Jeremiah:

o   “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).”

And this is a promise specific for you:

o   "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)."

Because you are still living, you must believe that God still has a purpose for you. Someone needs the gifts that God has placed inside of you. It is your job to find that person or persons, and give those gifts to them. Lie#4: "My dying will end the pain." This is the biggest lie of all. Suicide is the ultimate statement of: "God, I don't believe you." A person who commits suicide exchanges one form of pain for another, bigger pain. The bigger pain is eternal separation from God, the one who created you and loves you best. The only exception I can think of is if the person confessed Jesus as the son of God in his last moments, much like one of the thieves who hung on the cross with Jesus (see Luke 23:40-43). Please listen to this song and let it minister to your heart: Jesus Lover of My Soul That thief confessed the Lord. However, we have an enemy who is also described as a thief. Remember his plan: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10)." If you are a child of God, you also recognize that your body does not belong to you (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). These scriptures paint a picture of the end for those who believe God's word:

o   "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)." o   "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)." o   "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3)." o   "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).” o   "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12)."

The Bible also paints a picture of the end for those who don't believe:

 o   "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)." o   “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)!’

The only thing that saves any of us is belief that Jesus justified us through His sacrifice on the cross and our confession of it. From this knowledge, we follow His Word and come to build a strong, intimate relationship with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a daily relationship, not Sunday only. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, not Suicide. My heart and prayers go out to the Williams' family. Robin's death is a sobering reminder of the scriptural warning:

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)."

You and I must keep the following truths in mind to keep ourselves emotionally strong and guard against suicidal thoughts:

• We must affirm God's love for us constantly, regardless of our performance.

• Whenever we feel weak, we must run to the Lord in prayer to regain His perspective of life.

•  We must be ruthless in watching our thoughts and diligent in replacing any lies with the truth of God's word.

• We must stay in God's Word so that we recognize a lie when we hear it, even one in our own voices.

• We must be steadfast in applying God's Word in our daily lives so that we can endure any storms that come.

• We must stay connected with a community of Believers who are growing in Spiritual fruit.

• We must operate in our purposes to give value and meaning to our lives.

Above all, we must love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. We must believe His Word that we will receive our crowns of life - if we endure to the end. To learn more about starting a relationship with God or re-dedicating your life to Christ, click here. Kimberly Taylor takebackyourtemple.com

Kim's Update: Some people have commented to say that they disagree with my statement "A person who commits suicide exchanges one form of pain for another, bigger pain. The bigger pain is eternal separation from God, the one who created you and loves you best." Many of those people have lost loved ones to suicide who professed Christ. My heart goes out to you. I can't imagine how devastating that must have been and the grief you feel. This blog post was written to preserve the lives of living Christians. To get more insight into my viewpoint on this issue, you can read the following comment.  My prayer is that we all finish this race strong. God bless you all!