The Christian Post Reports:
A woman who sought psychiatric help at a Canadian hospital said staff made her feel “worthless” by suggesting she end her life through the country’s Medical Assistance in Dying program. Kathrin Mentler, 37, went to the Vancouver area hospital to receive help in protecting herself from acting on her suicidal thoughts. Instead, a clinician told Mentler she felt “relief” following the death of another patient struggling with mental illness. Read more.
From 2000 to 2020, more than 800,000 people died by suicide in the United States, with males representing 78.7% of all suicides that happened between 2000 and 2020. In 2022, around 49,500 people died by suicide according to the CDC, which is the highest number ever recorded.
From Bill Graham:
Q:
My husband took his own life about two years ago, after a long fight with severe depression and other mental problems. Recently, a friend told me that suicide is the unforgivable sin, and that I’ll never see my husband in heaven (he was a Christian). This has upset me greatly. Is he right?
A:
Whenever I answer any question about suicide, I pray especially hard that God will give me the right words to say. I know that someone might be reading this who is thinking about that terrible, final act—and I never want to say anything that might encourage them to do it. God wants to help them, and no action brings greater pain to those who are left behind.
Nevertheless, I regret that your friend upset you by saying suicide is the unforgivable sin, because this is not what the Bible says. Only one sin can never be forgiven by God, and that is the sin of turning one’s back on God and rejecting His offer of salvation in Christ. If we reject God, then God has no choice but to reject us. In some cases, rejecting God may lead eventually to suicide (as in the case of Judas), but not always.
God alone knows our hearts, and while suicide is never His will, He knows the pressures and difficulties your husband faced. Remember, it is by God’s grace we are saved, not because we are perfect. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
Take comfort in Jesus’ words: “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25). Then ask Him to help you reach out to others who grieve or may be hurting, and to point them to Jesus, who alone gives us hope.
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The United States is in a suicide epidemic. Dr. Matthew Sleeth (executive director and co-founder of Blessed Earth) has witnessed suicide continually rise in our country, but he believes that through Christians this epidemic can be stopped. You can have a life-saving impact by helping those who are struggling, and we want to equip you to reach out to someone you know who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Join us on Tuesday, September 5 for a free event that will equip you to help others struggling with suicide. You can register for live stream access today. Don’t miss this life-saving discussion!
Jim Daly |
