Brokenness Series Part One- Suicide

I decided to reach out to those who are broken and hurting through a blog series. I will post blogs about certain emotional wounds. I will analyze these conditions and offer hope. I know I am not a psychologist, but God's Spirit will give His people insight, understanding, and concern.

Each series will start with an opening paragraph, next comes the causes, then the solutions or cures, and the post will end with a prayer for healing.

The first emotional wound in this series is Suicidal Thoughts or Attempts.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ATTEMPTS

This emotional wound is one of the more ominous scars. This wound, if left to fester, leads quickly to death. This is why suicide is one of more serious wounds. You can be hopeless and still never consider killing yourself. A fascination with death mixed with self-pity is a dangerous combination.

Causes

1. Performance and a Mask

Many families who lose someone to suicide often make these statements: "I had no idea he was that depressed," or "She didn't seem suicidal." Unfortunately, people who struggle with suicide often deal with it in the dark. They feel ashamed of their depression and feel disconnected. They mask the pain. They smile and even force laughter because they want to feel normal. But, at the end of the day, they cry themselves to sleep and being envisioning how they will kill themselves. A facade is a common shield that hides the problem.

2. Revenge

Some people who struggle with suicide often have an underlining desire for revenge. They may feel hurt, abused, rejected, or abandoned. They hold a secret grudge against the person who hurt them. Then they use a suicidal attempt to prove their hurt. They rationalize: if they commit suicide, then those people who hurt them will realize the depth of pain they caused.

(Obviously there are many more causes, but I wish to focus on these two)

Solutions or Cures

1. Communities that are vulnerable, transparent and committed. 

This common conversation must end:

"Hey how are you?"

"I am fine, how are you?"

"Good, I am good. See you later,"

Sometimes we can't believe everything someone says about his or her feelings. Sometimes we need to risk being nosy. We need to be transparent so our friends will also be transparent. We need to build lasting relationships that are open and honest. Suicide can't survive in a community that is transparent and affectionate.

2. Forgiveness. When people hurt you, make every attempt to forgive and attempt to restore that relationship. Don't seek revenge of any kind. This is not easy. Sometimes hurt manifest out of abuse and neglect. These pains are real and undeserved. However, suicidal revenge is never justified. Forgiveness is the higher road and it leads to healing.

Prayer

Lord, for those who are hurting and contemplating ending their lives, we pray for divine intervention. Send them friends who know the meaning of commitment and honesty. Help them be honest with their pain and to seek help. Place them in a community that nurtures them and blesses them. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but You come to restore. save, and revive.

Amen