I Have This Friend…Contemplating Suicide | I Have This Friend, Part 1

I Have This Friend…Contemplating Suicide | I Have This Friend, Part 1

“I have this friend who is contemplating suicide”

”What does my friend feel, think, or believe?

Overwhelmed

Hopeless

Lonely

Low self-esteem

Feelings of worthlessness

Unbearable pain

Trivialize pain (“It’s not that bad”)

Over-spiritualize situations (“You just need more faith”)

Emphasize with hurting people (“I’m so sorry…”)

1 Thessalonians 5:11

encourage one another and build one another up

What does the Bible have to say?

1. We are never alone

2. God’s love and presence are with us even in our darkest moments

Psalm 34:17-18

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 42:11

Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke uponyou, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Psalms 56:8

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?

Hebrews 8:12

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

It is never God’s will that anyone should take their own life.

Suicide is generally not motivated by rebellion but rather desperation.

How do I have a meaningful conversation with my friend?

Sit with someone and truly listen to them

Provide a safe, non-judgmental space for them to share

Point them to the truth of God’s Word

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family ofbelievers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

What is one prayer I can consistently pray?

“God help me be a healing presence in my friend’s life. Help them know that you are near tothose who are cast down in their soul and brokenhearted. Lord, please bring comfort, strength, and healing to my friend. Help me to have the wisdom and guidance to know how to best support them.

”What next step do I need to take?

1. Be a source of courage for your friend (1 Thess. 5:11)

2. Be present in their life

3. Invite them to church or your small group