Touched by Suicide
Why? Why? The questions plague my soul yet there are no answers. I recently received a phone call that Michael’s cousin committed suicide. This is the fourth suicide to touch his family in four years. My heart hurts not only for this loss, but also for his family. I have been in a place when I felt desperate and hopeless; I know what it is like to experience the “black night of the soul.” So many people are so desperate to escape the pains and sufferings of this world that they take drastic measures. Suicide may offer a way out for the one afflicted, but it leaves tremendous heartache and pain for those left behind. It is such a selfish act that focuses on present circumstances, and often does not take into account the people it leaves behind.
It seems so commonplace today to hear of people committing suicide. When did this become so widespread? Our culture thrives on busyness, but I fear that our constant busyness has caused us to miss many hurting people around us. We need to pray and ask God how we can support those around us who are hurting. We need to help them find hope!
I covet your prayers during this time. Please pray for our family!
Oh Natalie, I am so sorry to hear this news. I will be praying for you and your family.
My heart aches for you and your friends and their families, Natalie. I know you have a heavy weight on your shoulders and I'm praying for you. Our suffering produces perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that we can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4) You are becoming very mature, right?! Love you. Melody
Hi! I came here via Heather. I too have Bipolar and have been receiving treatment for it both in and out of a Mental Health Hospital for the past 12 months. Like you, before my diagnosis when I thought I was just suffering from depression (and by saying just, I don't mean to demean that condition in any way)but I, like you though suicide was a selfish act. One that leaves so many with so much unanswered, so much burden to bare themselves, so much untold. BUT! I have since suffered to the point of contemplating suicide on several occasions (thankfully both times my hero husband was around to get me help in time). But what I am trying to say is this. When you are in the dark dark place that Bipolar takes you, it convinces you that the world would be a better place without you. Not just solving your problems and worries, but no longer being a burden to those around you, the ones you love. It convinces you that they would be better off if you weren't here. And…you begin to believe it! And if you continue to believe it and you have the time, the space, means, etc, you actually believe that you are doing what God wants you to do. I know this because I have been there. So I now know that suicide is not meant to hurt those left behind and in fact, when we come back to the 'real world' we often realise what damage we nearly did and how unthinkable it would have been to have put our loved ones through that. Its just that 'at the time' those are NOT the thoughts in your head.
I hope I have been of a little help in at least trying to communicate what goes through the mind of a person on the brink of suicide and I can promise you, hurting their loved ones is not ever something they consider they are doing.
Good luck with your research