THE SORROW OF SUICIDE

                                     

~The Sun of China~  

As you may know, suicide statistics are getting higher over the years, potentially due to economic recessions around the world (http://economiccrisis.us/2010/08/rising-suicide-rate-worldwide-linked-economic-crisis-expert/).  According to 2011 studies, countries like Japan and China are in the top 10 for countries with the largest suicide percentages

 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate).  

You may have met someone who has struggled with thoughts of suicide.  You may have considered it yourself.  In a troubled world, what do we have to combat the feelings of depression?  As a firm believer in God, I believe that we have the Word of God to protect us.  I have compiled a list of scriptures to add to our spiritual arsenal and may be helpful to that friend in need.

·         1st Corinthians 7:10

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

THE SORROW OF THE WORLD BRINGS SUICIDE.

·         Mormon 2:13

13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.

THERE IS ALWAYS A CONSEQUENCE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

·         Proverbs 15:13

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

SORROW IS SPIRITUAL

·         Alma 41:10

10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND? SIN IS SORROW!

·         Doctrine and Covenants 39:9

9 Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.

FOCUS ON THE WORLD = REJECTING GOD

·         Psalms 32:10

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE MISTAKES, TRUST IN GOD’S MERCY.

·         Isaiah 53:3

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 6 All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all.

CHRIST HAS PAID THE PRICE AND WILL MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

·         MOSIAH 3:7

 7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

DON’T ADD TO HIS SUFFERINGS! REPENT! 

·         John 16:22

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

WHEN JESUS COMES INTO YOUR LIFE, YOU SHALL REJOICE!

·         Revelation 21:4

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

GOD WILL TAKE AWAY THE PAIN

·         Job 6:10

10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

WHY DO SOME HARDEN THEIR HEARTS AGAINST HIM TO CONTINUE IN SORROW?

·         Alma 37:45

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

THE WORD OF GOD LEADS US AWAY FROM SORROW.

·         John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

THE WORLD BRINGS YOU SORROW, BUT CHIRST HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!

·         1 John 5:4

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

IF WE ARE BAPTISED IN BODY AND SPIRIT, WE CAN ALSO OVERCOME THE WORLD.

·         Romans 12:21

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

DON’T LET SORROW OVERCOME YOU.  OVERCOME SORROW WITH GOOD WORKS!

Thank you for your support to our beloved friends who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.  If you have any experiences or other ideas for how to help someone work through these type of feelings, please share in the comments!