A plea from Steve Bloem for Christians to not take their own life.

From the Reformed Reader Blog


This is a repost by Steve Bloem of the Reformed Readers web site in light of the recent suicide of Robin Williams

Several weeks ago, Steve and Robyn Bloem were gracious enough to send me a copy of their book, Broken Minds: Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're "Losing It" (Kregel Publications, 2005). Shane has drawn attention to this book before.
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382740705&sr=1-1&keywords=steve+bloem

I've been working my way through this book and was really struck by a list of reasons Steve gave to himself to convince himself not to commit suicide. This is a dark and difficult subject and is often not blogged about in polite company, but I was struck by how thoughtful and gripping this list was. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, perhaps this list might serve as a place to start when thinking of reasons to choose life:

• It is a sin and would bring shame to Christ and His church.

• It would please the Devil and would weaken greatly those who are trying to fight him.

• It would devastate family members and friends, and you may be responsible for them following your example if they come up against intense suffering.

• It may not work, and you could end up severely disabled but still trying to fight depression.

• It is true - our God is a refuge, "and those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you" (Ps. 9:10). God, your Father, will deliver you through what you are facing. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:10 that God "delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us."

• Help is available. If you push hard enough, someone can assist you to find the help you need.

• If you are unsaved, you will go to hell. This is not because of the act of suicide but because all who die apart from knowing Christ personally will face an eternity in a far worse situation than depression.

• If you are a Christian, then Jesus Christ is interceding for you before the Father, that your faith will not fail. He shares your afflictions. Psalm 56:8 says, "Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in your book?"

• God will keep you until you reach a day when your pain will truly be over. Wait for God's time for that, not your own. According to Revelation 7:17c, "God will wipe every tear from their eyes." After going through some awful things, Paul was still able to say, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18).

Pgs. 59-60.

May God be pleased to strengthen his dear ones who are at the edge of despair and fighting the temptation to take that short-cut through suffering instead of waiting on God's timing (something easier said than done, and indeed, impossible to do in one's own strength). May his Holy Spirit indeed comfort them with that peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:7).

_______________________
R. Andrew Compton
Christ Reformed Church (URCNA)
Anaheim, CA The End
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