5 Ways Scripture Brings Light to Those Battling Suicidal Thoughts

Elizabeth Delaney Headlines Contributor
Updated Sep 26, 2024

Suicidal thoughts are like fiery darts that can bring injury or even destruction to the person who is fighting them. The root can be external and connected to situations such as grieving the loss of a close loved one, health challenges, or financial struggles. However, the battle can also be more of an internal struggle connected to emotional turmoil, mental illness, or a chemical imbalance in the brain. Whatever the root cause may be, the Word of God is like a shield that helps to quench the darts. The more of God's Word we have hidden in our hearts, the more effective our shield will be to help us experience the peace of God in our lives. Different scriptures will resonate with different ones. Here are 5 scriptures that bring hope, peace, and a positive focus for the future to those battling with suicidal thoughts.

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1. The Light of Becoming God's Vessel

Battling suicidal thoughts is exhausting. It's often also emotionally painful. When that battle has been going on for an extended period of time, death can seem like an escape. However, it's important for the person struggling to remember that others will be emotionally injured by an act of self-harm. In addition, God has a plan and a purpose and can even eventually work through the life of a person struggling with suicidal thoughts to help bring hope and peace to others with that same struggle.

One example of Jesus working through the life of someone to whom He brought healing and deliverance is in the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. After setting that person free, Jesus told him to "'Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.' And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him, and all marveled" (Mark 5:19-20).

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2. The Light of Choosing Life

From the time we get up in the morning to the time we go to bed at night, we make choices every day. What to wear, what to eat, the social activities in which we engage, and more. These choices are generally simple ones. Though suicidal thoughts can be a much more complex issue, a choice can be made not to act on those thoughts. The Psychiatry Source suggests making a choice to eliminate suicide as an option and make a point of choosing life. If this choice is made at a time when there isn't a struggle (or there's less of one happening at the time), it can help strengthen your resolve to live during times of struggle.

One scripture that goes along nicely with this is found in Psalm 118:17: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

This can be something of a decree that's uttered in times of intense emotional pain. It can also be turned into an amazing prayer focus in which the Lord is asked to bring healing to a wounded heart, and when He knows we're ready, open doors for us to declare to others what He has brought us through. When we're willing to talk about it, He can work through us to help facilitate healing in others. This could take on the form of speaking to groups, or it could be a quiet one-on-one situation in which He brings someone across our path that needs the hope our story offers. There's something very meaningful about being a person that God can work through to help others overcome in an area where we've experienced some victory.

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3. The Light of Knowing We're Priceless in His Eyes

The enemy of our soul wants to make us think that we're worthless. The enemy is also a liar. God wanted to be in a relationship with us so badly that He held nothing back. Even though sin separated us, He wasn't content to abandon us and just leave us in our misery. Jesus paid with His very life for us to be in a relationship with Him.

The parable of the Pearl of Great Price can be interpreted in such a way that Jesus is the merchant in the story. What an amazing thought that He sees us as beautiful pearls and that we are worth giving up everything He has for our sake (Matt 13:45-46).

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4. The Light of Knowing We're His Joy

Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that, "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

God is definitely the God of creativity. The Old Testament book of Genesis tells us how He spoke creation into existence. What a fun thought that He's like a songwriter who writes songs about each of us, and then sings them over us as a blessing on our lives. His Words have power and to a certain extent, so do ours.

When we meditate on what He says about us in His Word, it helps us to weaken the negative influence that permeates suicidal thoughts and replace that with the truth of God's Word.

5. The Light of Knowing He's a Faithful God

The old hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" definitely says it well. God doesn't change, His compassions never fail, He always was and always will be. My favorite verse is the last one where it says He gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. And I'll take those blessings, too, with ten thousand more!

A beautiful scripture that captures just how faithful He is and that He never forgets us is Isaiah 49:15-16: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me."

New Life Ministries recommends journaling as a way to improve mental health. It can be a great way to relieve stress, process emotions, have a calming effect on the mind, help us to develop our goals more fully, and so much more.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.

Elizabeth Delaney Author Headshot Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.