The suicide rate in America over the past 14 years has climbed 31% from 1999 to 2010. The increase among working adults was “double that of the other demographics, with people in their 50s showing the highest numbers” (“Suicides Soar in Past Decade”, Timothy W. Martin, May 2, 2013, wsj.com).
The article goes on to cite middle-aged men who committed suicide outnumbered their female counterparts 4-to-1. The economic downturn provides a correlation to the upswing in the suicide rate. “As people lose their jobs or work part-time, many struggle to make ends meet and go without health insurance, adding to stress and turmoil in households” (Ibid). And, mental disorders also lead to numerous suicides.
Suicide generally says a person perceives himself to be in a hopeless, helpless and hapless condition with no way out. To many, the only escape is to end their lives. How very sad they could not see the better way. Secularism has no real answer to the suicide problem. When one is told to measure success by material possessions and self-fulfillment, when these falter and fail (and they will), many are left with a void of skepticism, doubt and fear. They have not known God during their time of abundance. Now, in time of crisis, He is denied even further. The Giver of life watches as His gift is refused.
The gospel of Christ gives hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless and blessings to the hapless. The gospel of Christ rescued a jailer from suicide and saved him and his family from eternal death (Acts 16:25-34). Have you noticed that Paul and Silas never considered suicide when being unjustly punished? Instead, they prayed and sang to God. What joy in believing; what solace in pain!
Suicide solves nothing, while bringing pain and leaving unanswered questions for the survivors. Belief and obedience to the gospel enables Christ to dwell in your heart through faith (Ephesians 3:17). With Christ, hope is living, help is constant and blessings abound (Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3). Life is worth living; Christians are guarded by the peace of God (Philippians 4:4-9).
Joe R. Price