For Those Considering Suicide

 Excerpt from Too Soon to Say Goodbye: Healing and Hope for Suicide Victims and Survivors; used with permission by New Hope Publishers.

By Susan Osborn:

I would like those considering suicide to stop for a moment and think of those who would be left behind. I know many of us go through very dark times, some contemplating suicide as a way to end it all.

King David expresses his pain during a dark moment in Psalm 31:9 “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.”

Charlie R. Brown wrote a beautiful poem (and prayer) that shows the emotional turmoil of the loved ones left behind when someone moves from considering suicide to accomplishing suicide.

For Those Left Behind

by Charles R. Brown

 

Death comes veiled in tragedy’s mask

even when we anticipate an aged patriarch’s passing.

But the loss is magnified

when a friend or loved one gives up

and pushes the button to escape the suffering.

 

At times like this

we sit and stare at the floor.

How, dear God, should we pray?

Our hearts ache. Our minds are crammed with why.

Sleep seems to come only with restless exhaustion.

 

But you, Lord, know start to finish.

Somehow let us find recreation in your completeness.

As we cherish good memories

remind us to intercede often for the children,

the friends, and the family that must continue the journey here.

 

We ask, too, that you would bring

refreshment from this bitter drink.

Bathe the grieving with words from you,

words of comfort and hope.

 

Through this unwanted stealing away,

bring the abundance of your sufficiency.

We pray this for your glory

in the name of our Savior.

 

Amen

See other stories in our site category, Surviving the Loss of a Loved One .