My Friend Committed Suicide. Where Are They Now?

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." -John 10:10

Unfortunately, this is a day and time where suicide is something that must be talked about. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), which collects mortality data in the United States, 41,149 people died of suicide in 2013 in the US. This number has steadily been on the rise since 2000. Suicide is the 4th most common form of death in America.

You probably know someone who has committed suicide. If you don’t, then you probably at least know of someone who has. We can talk all day long about why so many people are killing themselves, but we probably wouldn’t get very far. So let’s ask an even bigger question: what happens to people after they commit suicide? If Christianity cannot answer this, then we have no hope.

I am here to tell you, though, that there is hope! “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20) Jesus has gone ahead of us into death so that we might be saved from death!

If a person is truly in relationship with Christ, they will not go to hell if they commit suicide. Some people may argue that if someone commits suicide, they cannot repent of that sin and will therefore be condemned. This undermines the power of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. His sacrifice covers all of our sins - past, present, and future. When we accept Christ's salvation, we are covered by his blood. This pays the price for all of our sins, including suicide.

Suicidal thoughts are not necessarily a sign of an unbeliever, either. We see many instances of severe depression in the Psalms. Jonah also pleads for death in Jonah 4:3. These, however, were men of God.

God does not want us to commit suicide, though; it is not his plan for us. Suicide is from Satan, not God. "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) God is opposed to murder (Exodus 20:13). If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, pray against those thoughts, because they are of demonic origin. God wishes for you to have abundant life in him.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, then know that there is hope of a better future if you know Jesus. Keep your head up and persevere, dear friends!

If you would like help with suicide or any other life-controlling issue, you can visit our website, www.myhopetour.com, or you can e-mail one of our Life Coaches at hope@youthforamerica.org.