SUICIDE…THE ULTIMATE GRACE??
By Dr. Bev

For June’s article, I would like to address a question recently posed to me by a former client. Her question caused me to stop and consider the meaning of life and the will of God versus the free will of man.

From a clinician’s point of view, suicide is our most challenging debate. When clients are suffering from deep depression or struggling with extreme mood swings, we are grateful when they made it through another day of making a choice to live and not opting for the choice of taking their life in a moment of despair.

I would guess that most of us, even professional counselors, have at times questioned if it would be easier to be with the Lord than to struggle with one more day of suffering. Such anguish may stem from relationships, physical or emotional pain as well as a deep sense of helplessness and hopelessness. I recently shared with a client that I have contemplated the thought of running away in times past, but never considered taking my life. I am grateful God has placed in my heart a strong will to live.

When I hear the stories of pain and suffering in my office, I marvel at the courage, strength and will to live displayed by some of my clients. But the question of our eternal destiny after suicide begs consideration. What if someone we love and care for does come to that point of concluding the only option left is to end their lives?

My persuasion after many years of contemplating God’s perspective is that, God is the giver of life, the sustainer of life and the caretaker of death. Though we cannot fathom our Father’s reasons, we can look to His greater purposes.

Is it possible that the most incredible expression of the grace is in His allowing us to determine the ending of our lives, while understanding that His grace to live has been rejected? I suspect that when we all stand before the Lord some day as believers, we will be surprised at how often God’s grace sustained us far beyond our knowledge and understanding. God’s grace truly is His unmerited favor. We don’t deserve life at all, though God has graciously extended it to all of us!!! This life He’s given to us is to be lived for His glory, and, as He reminds us in Jeremiah 2, for our glory too.

Suicide can be seen as the final rebellious act of a weary child. An exchange of His glory for our glory is to self-determine the end of our mortal walk. But then I ponder, basking in the endless mercies of My Father God, can this act evade His interceding hand? Can this rebellion extinguish His love? Can I be so lost, so hurt, so empty that God’s Savior will not hold me any longer? I cry praise be to God that He won the victory over life and death. He holds my place in His home.

Is it not all about the Glory of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? So then, consider what it means to make the choice to live and leave the ending to His timing and His ways.
DrBev