Can You be A christian and suicidal?

​Yes you can be a Christian and suicidal. In fact, many Christians face suicidal ideation and intrusive thoughts. The Bible itself points to the fathers of our faith, struggling with the same: Moses, Elijah, as well as David.

​Is God mad at me for being suicidal?

​No, God is not mad at your for being suicidal. The Bible itself points to God’s caring and loving nature towards these people who were struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Let’s take the story of Elijah, for example. 1 Kings 19: 4, the very tired and overwhelmed prophet told God, “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” After Elijah falls asleep, we see the Lord wake him up, not once but twice, to give him food and drink for the journey ahead.

David spent the better part of his youth running away from his enemies, crying out to God in despair. But we see in the book of Psalms how God answers David over and over by liberating him, comforting him, and delivering him.

God’s nature doesn’t change, and His word shows us that He treats his struggling children with compassion. He is not mad at you; He wants to see you living life to the fullest.

Would my family be better off without me?

No, your family would not be better off without you if you decided to end your life today. I know it may seem that your family, children, and other loved ones would be better off without you, but that is just the lies of your mental condition. Your family, children, and friends want nothing more than to see you well, see you thriving, and return to enjoying life with them.

The Lord has put you on this earth at this specific time and place for a reason: the world needs you, your loved ones need you, and better days are ahead of you. Keep going.

Why doesn’t reading the Bible and praying help my suicidal thoughts?

Many believers do not see relief from suicidal thoughts by just reading the Bible and praying. While staying connected to God through the Bible and in prayer is important, if you have not seen it yielded the results you wanted, you may need additional help.

Seeking other forms of therapy, like seeing a mental health professional or taking prescription medication, doesn’t make you any less of a Christian. Just as the Lord tended to Elijah’s physical needs, you must tend to your body’s needs while maintaining your spiritual health. The truth of the matter is, there may be a hormonal or chemical imbalance in you that requires medication and extensive therapy to heal.

God put healthcare professionals and medicine in place to help us on this difficult journey called life. Don’t think of using them as abandoning your faith, but more like taking a whole-person approach to your healing.

​What can I do practically to get better today?

Get help.

Dial or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

For online mental health services, contact BetterMe or MyCounselor Online.

A Prayer For You

Dear Heavenly Father, we lift our reader to you in this moment. That in their season of darkness and despair, we ask that you would light a beacon of hope for them. Surround them, Lord, with the right people, the right medications, if needed, and the right church to help them along their journey. But most importantly, we ask that you surround them with your love. Like a warm hug, envelop them.

Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Lord, we ask in the name of Jesus that you banish any feelings of guilt, condemnation, and shame from our reader in this moment. That they may feel Your presence as if You were in the room with them. We claim the freedom Your Son died for, and we ask the Holy Spirit to instill peace in their body and soul.

Arm them daily with the armor of God, Father, that they may do exceedingly with Your Spirit what they cannot do on their own. We thank you because today starts a new day for them. A new day to walk in freedom from this darkness, and a new day to embrace the joy of salvation. Thank you, Lord, for the precious blood that was spilled on our behalf. We embrace it, and you and we walk boldly in the path you have set before us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

​