Hope Beyond Despair: Finding Truth After A Loved One’s Suicideಮಾದರಿ
If you have lost someone to suicide, your greatest need is forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ. If you have not yet received His forgiveness, you can do that right now by talking to Him. Read the verses for today for more explanation of what it means to be saved from your sin. Then you might say a prayer that goes something like this:
Dear God, I admit to you that I am a sinner. I have missed the mark of Your perfect character. I recognize that I was created in your image and likeness in order to give you glory, but I have fallen short of that glory. Because I am a sinner, I deserve death, which is eternal punishment and separation from you.
I ask your forgiveness for my sin, believing you sent Your Son Jesus to suffer the undeserved punishment for sin. He was crucified on a cross and then died. He was buried and then rose again three days later. I believe Jesus is the only way for my sin to be forgiven and to live eternally in your presence.
Thank you for forgiving me. Amen.
Having a personal, saving relationship with Jesus is the starting point to move forward after a loved one’s death. Accepting Christ’s forgiveness of your sin won’t change what has already happened, but it will change your perspective on your situation. With a new and redeemed heart, you can now move forward. As you learn more about God and study the Bible passages in this reading plan, He will help you sort through the questions and confusion of your loved one’s death and your own response to it.
For those of you who already have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I earnestly encourage you to take up your weapons—the sword of truth and the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16-17). As you do, He will strengthen you to rest upon the truth of His Word, rather than believe the smorgasbord of the devil’s lies. The battle to grieve a suicide is intense, but our God comforts and heals.
From my own experience, I can say that our God, the God of all comforts, will comfort you in all of your suffering. And some day, you will be able to console others with the comfort which you have received from Him (2 Corinthians 1:2).
About this Plan
There is no heartache equal to that of losing a loved one. Unanswered questions, despair, and perhaps self-blame can leave those left behind with feelings of hopelessness. This 16-day plan examines biblical examples of suicide as well as the smorgasbord of lies we are tempted to believe in a suicide situation. Replacing these lies with God’s Truth will bring healing and comfort to those left behind.
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