Suicide is on the rise in the U.S.  Every year sees more and more of us taking our lives.  Just how bad is it?  Suicides claim more lives than Leukemia, automobile accidents, or Prostate cancer.  Incredibly, the latest statistics tell us twice as many people die by suicide as by homicide! (USA Today, 08-13-14, pg.2A).

When a celebrity like Robin Williams commits suicide, an admiring public immediately begins talking about his good deeds, great heart, and incredible compassion.  Stars share how he gave them good advice or helped advance their careers. 

Make no mistake, all of what I’ve just written about Robin Williams is true.  From all accounts, he was a warm, generous, compassionate man.  But we must also be very careful at this point, for there is a subtle danger hiding in the outpouring of support for Williams.  It can make some who are thinking about suicide say this to themselves:  “If I kill myself, it won’t be very bad.  After all, look at all the good articles and programs devoted to Robin Williams’ life.  People will be fine without me.”

Don’t buy that lie for one moment.  I can just about guarantee you Williams’ family is going through what every close friend or family member of a suicide victim experiences:  intense guilt (“could I have stopped it?” “I should have seen it coming;” “Is this my fault?”), profound sorrow, and anger. 

Bruce and I have said repeatedly that you must not trust your thoughts and emotions when they run counter to what God’s word says.  What kind of thoughts am I talking about?  “I’m no good to anyone; they’ll be better off without me.”  “Here is a way out of my problem that won’t hurt anyone else.”  “This just feels like the right thing to do!” 

All of the above thoughts are lies from Satan.  He puts this into your mind to confuse you and cause you to turn from God’s intended plan for your life.  I don’t want you to miss this:  it’s NEVER too late in life to begin living for Jesus, receive forgiveness from Jesus, and to make progress in your emotional and spiritual life. 

Listen to what the Bible has to say about your life and your current situation:  “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 HCSB). In other words, God PROMISES to bring you through the tough time you’re going through, if you look to Him, instead of focusing on your circumstances. 

Think your situation is too difficult anyway?  Again, God’s word:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).  Satan says you can’t, and that suicide is the only option.  God says you CAN, with Christ in you providing the power. 

Who will you choose to believe:  Satan, the great liar and the one who wants to destroy you, or Jesus, the One who died for you, who conquered death for you, and wants you to prosper? 

Choose Jesus . . . and life.