Do NOT Commit Suicide
Reasons Not to Kill Yourself or End Your Life
© Brian Tubbs
Dec 21, 2007
There are hundreds of Internet searches each week on "How to Commit Suicide." Perhaps you are looking for ways to commit suicide. Please stop and read this article.
Hundreds of people each week search the Internet for information on "how to commit suicide" as well as "how to kill yourself." Search options run the gamut from "how to commit suicide with carbon monoxide" to "how to commit suicide painlessly" to "how to commit suicide and not screw up" to "101 ways to kill yourself."
If you are considering suicide, please take a few moments to breathe, read this article, sort through your situation prayerfully, and get help. If you know someone who may be at risk, perhaps this article will help you help them.
Here are some facts to help you say NO to suicide and YES to life.
1. There Is Substantial Evidence for the Existence of God
No games here. The bottom line is that the evidence for the existence of God far outweighs the evidence for atheism. If you doubt that statement, just use some common sense.
The universe began to exist. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause that brought it into existence. Moreover, the universe shows indications of fine-tuning and intricate design. That speaks to the strong likelihood of a Designer at work. And, finally, the presence of human aspiration, conscience, and spiritual awareness all point to something greater than what we simply see, touch, taste, hear, and smell.
These observations (and others) all mean that God (or at least a supernatural, cosmic intelligence of some kind) is real.
Not only that, but the overwhelming majority of people in the world accept the existence of God or a supernatural force of some kind. Those who reject the divine are in the distinct minority.
You therefore owe it to yourself to do everything you can to communicate with God.
2. Your Value Comes from God
If God is real, then you are here because God created you or at least allowed you to come into existence. That fact determines your purpose for living as well as your worth as an individual.
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America made clear, in the opening paragaphs of the Declaration of Independence, that our "unalienable rights" (including our rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - the very rights that define our value as human beings) come from the Creator.
That means your value is NOT associated with what other people think of you - even those who may be close to you. Nor does your value come from society. This, of course, doesn't mean that others won't try to diminish you or manipulate your feelings of self-worth. You can, however, rest confident in the "self-evident truth" (to steal a phrase from America's Founders) that your value comes from God. As such, your value is beyond human contestation.
3. There Is No "Restart" Button!
Once you take your life, there is no coming back. This is not like a computer you can reboot or a game that you can start over. You have only one life. End it - and you're done. Do not make that choice.
The truth is that your life will, like everyone else's, run its course in due time. No one lives forever, and death will come to you eventually. There's no need for you to rush it.
4. Don't Decide Based on Feelings
NEVER let your life be governed by (or ended by) feelings. In fact, you should NEVER make decisions solely based on feelings. Your feelings should follow your decisions - and NOT the other way around.
So, stop, take a breath, count to 1,000 if you have to, but get a firm grip on your feelings. Do that so that you can think clearly about your life and situation. If you are unable to get a handle on your feelings or to get on top of your emotions, then you may be suffering from depression. In that case, see a doctor right away. Get help. And that leads to the final step...
5. Seek Help...NOW
You need to get help...now. If you are considering something as drastic as ending your life, you need to talk to your family, a health professional, and a counselor. And you need to do these things right away. If you don't have health insurance or can't afford a counselor (and even if you can), consider contacting an area church. Obviously, if you are already in a church, get a hold of your pastor.
You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Bottom line...Your life is worth living. It's worth protecting. Don't be the one to end it. Get help right away.
Author's Note: If all else fails, send me a note (you can reach me through this website).
The copyright of the article
Do NOT Commit Suicide in
Protestantism is owned by
Brian Tubbs. Permission to republish
Do NOT Commit Suicide must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Dec 22, 2007 8:00 AM
Pink
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<i>These observations (and others) all mean that God (or at least a supernatural, cosmic intelligence of some kind) is real.</i>.
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Take a moment to think about existence, it will soon come to mind that it is infinite--there can be no end to it for ever and ever and ever. Every possibility has some odds for it as well as against it. A negative against a positive equals a negative.
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There are crazy people who believe that suicide is the corridor to transcendence. Jim Jones was one as were the Gateway to Heaven people. I saw a program on tv the other day in which a belief was highlighted in which it is thought that Hitler and his elites have moved underground and are now operating the UFOs we hear about from time to time.
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It is wonderful just to be alive.
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Dec 22, 2007 11:20 PM
redback
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Twas a real pity when suite101 actually allowed discussions on how to suicide over in the Health Community.
I'm not sure points 1-4 of Brian's article are part of first aid but I'll go with point 5 about seeking help. For me, if a loved one or stranger threatens suicide...I would get involved with privacy coming a poor second IF it has to. Point 6?
Who knows what you call it if people deliberately suicide for religious "gain" but I don't think they COMMIT** suicide.
If they have a mental health problem or instead are confused about the "heaven entry" rules, the answer to their problems lie within that, not any alleged offence** of killing themselves. I'm guessing they'll get to a stage where they're unlikely to ponder just how wonderful life is or the mysteries of the universe let alone what they need to do to follow God's plan for them.
So, people should read Brian's articles BEFORE any crisis. :)
Dec 23, 2007 9:06 AM
Migisi
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Some interesting info:
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Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide
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"<b>Ethnic groups and suicide:</b> In the USA, Asian-Americans are more likely to die by suicide than any other ethnic group. Caucasians die by suicide more often than African Americans do. This is true for both genders. Non-Hispanic Caucasians are nearly 2.5 times more likely to kill themselves than are African Americans or Hispanics.[29]
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"<b>Age and suicide:</b> In the USA, males over 70 die by suicide more often than younger males. There is no such trend for females. Older non-Hispanic Caucasian men are much more likely to kill themselves than older men or women of any other group, which contributes to the relatively high suicide rate among Caucasians.
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"<b>Season and suicide:</b> People die by suicide more often during spring and summer. The idea that suicide is more common during the winter holidays (including Christmas in the northern hemisphere) is a common misconception.[30] There is also potential risk of suicide in some people experiencing <b>**Seasonal affective disorder</b>.
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[30] <b>Are Suicide Rates Higher at Christmas?</b>
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/assets/alert16.pdf
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**<b>Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)</b> quote from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195
"... Usually, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the warmer, sunnier days of spring and summer. But some people have the opposite pattern, developing seasonal affective disorder with the onset of spring or summer. In either case, problems may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses."
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I have 'winter' SAD. I purchased a SAD light box. I have it sitting on my desk near my computer, and turn it on as I check my email daily. It does lift my spirits on those dreary winter days.
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Quote from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=8
"Light therapy mimics outdoor light and causes a biochemical change in your brain that lifts your mood, relieving symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. In light therapy, you sit a few feet from a specialized light therapy box so that you're exposed to very bright light. Light therapy is generally easy to use and has relatively few side effects."
May 1, 2008 12:21 AM
Guest
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can somebody help me, i prevented myself many times from commiting suicide just by reading this text. it is very right, and it willl help others, but i cannot live my life just reading this text over and over again every night. before i go to sleep. i basically memorized the whole text now, and yes it is helping me, and giving me the reason why i shold stay alive. yet just when i think i am ok, the sadness and the heart ache fills up my whole body again. please i need more help, or some more text the read myself to sleep every night.. thank you
May 1, 2008 12:12 PM
Brian Tubbs
:
Dear Guest, I'm glad the article has helped you, and I appreciate your giving me (and others) the opportunity to encourage you more. I'm going to address this from my perspective as a Christian and as a pastor. In spite of periods of doubt (and I've had them, believe me), I always have come back to the realization that the evidence for God and for Christ FAR OUTWEIGHS the arguments to the contrary. So, with that in mind, I strongly urge you to PRAY every day and every night. As the Apostle Paul says: "Pray without ceasing." Pray, pray, and then pray some more. Think of your prayers as SPENDING TIME with God and pouring your heart out to Him. You don't have to be fancy with prayer. You just have to be real. And then, I would encourage you to read the Bible. If you don't have one, get one. Read the Gospel of Luke or the Gospel of John. Read the Psalms. Just keep reading -- all the while praying. Don't stop praying. And get into a good church AND a good support group. You need to take action. Take initiative. Don't let yourself become trapped in a mental dungeon. Take action. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. So....here are your steps...PRAY, READ YOUR BIBLE, and GET INTO A CHURCH AND A SUPPORT GROUP! Also...read (or listen on CD to) some good encouraging books from authors like Joel Osteen, Billy Graham, Charles Swindoll, Charles Stanley. Keep your mind active. And keep it focused. Hang in there. Do NOT give up!
May 3, 2008 11:04 AM
Brian Tubbs
:
Hello everyone...
There have been a couple other comments made on this article, which I have not posted, because either they contained obscene language or because they have reiterated a desire for suicide. I do however want to acknowledge these posts. To those people upset by this article and/or by my comment on May 1, let me say this...
1. If you're determined to take your life, please do not lash out against those (like me) who care - and want to offer some food for thought to help you make a better choice (a choice for life).
2. As for religion, I'm not forcing anything on you. It's up to you whether you embrace God or not or whether you go to church or not. That's your decision, and I would fight and die for your religious freedom. That said, I have the freedom to ENCOURAGE you to consider your relationship with God - and that is what I'm doing. The evidence for God is overwhelming, and it's wise to consider it. Where do you stand with God?
3. If you want to contact me directly, go to http://protestantism.suite101.com and email me through my profile. I will be happy to dialog with you over email. If I can help, I'd like that opportunity.
Bottom line...I care. If you're mad at me for caring, so be it. But I do care.
May 9, 2008 9:33 PM
Guest
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I have a subconsious problem. I've considered suicide but i dont wanna leave a mess for someone to clean up, or put my family through the grief. I really have tried to forsaken these dismal thoughts but they keep coming back. I'm thinking of just trying some kind of thing where ill just smack myself really hard when the thoughts come. Do you think this is a bad idea or a good idea, or a mediocre idea?
May 12, 2008 11:00 AM
Brian Tubbs
:
Dear Guest, it's good that you're trying to bring some control to your feelings, rather than just follow them. However, I think the better approach is: 1) Seek out professional help. 2) Be proactive in putting positive thoughts and affirmations into your mind - uplifting music, encouraging movies (there are some good ones), positive reading, friends that will lift you up, etc. You need a steady POSITIVE mental diet. 3) Try a journal or diary. When negative emotions come, try to write them down. Let THAT be your way of channeling the negativity. And then be done with them. Once you've written down the negative stuff, consciously pour the positive into your mind to replace it - see suggestion #2 above. Hope this helps.
May 14, 2008 5:04 AM
Guest
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i have a serious problem when im mad at my parents i try to find any way for revenge,,,,such as trying to act like im gona kill myself ...i dont want to commit suicide but i want them to think that iam ,,,,so what can i do?!
May 14, 2008 12:23 PM
Guest
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I am married to a man who dosn't love me he is always putting me down and nothing I do is right. He is verbally abusive to me and our kids. My kids blame me for this. I feel broken I have no friends and no one to talk too. I have no way to support myself if I leave I feel totally alone, all I want is peace and death sounds alot more peaceful then the life I am living.
