I spent a little time at the hospital yesterday, with a man who's child had attempted suicide. Attempted, but failed, fortunately. He'll get another chance to apologize to his family for the absolute hell he put them through.
Suicide damages so many people outside of the greedy, selfish person who end their life. The families who wonder why, and what they could have done. The friends who have to deal with the gaping hole in their life. Suicide injures and wounds everyone else around the person who commits the act. It is selfish. It is stupid. It is greedy. No wonder the Catholic Church considers suicide the only unforgivable sin. There's no way a person can atone for the damage they do once they've jumped off that bridge, or pulled that trigger, or swallowed those pills.
So if there's anyone out there contemplating suicide, here's my suggestion: Don't. It's not worth it. You spend eternity roasting in Hell, and you hurt the people you love more than you will ever know until it's too late.
As someone who has been there, another possibility is that the person is in so much emotional/mental pain, the thought of burning in hell seems normal or even less of a problem than the present reality. That's where I was 9 years ago when God touched me and I was able to put away the tow rope which was sitting on the end of my bed.
ReplyDeleteThey have interviewed the people who actually survived the jump from the Golden Gate Bridge, and without fail, every single one of them says they suddenly changed their mind before hitting the water. It's a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
ReplyDeleteAnd I say this as someone who has suffered chronic pain for 30 years now.
Anon - Yes, that's possible. Which is why I want to lodge into people's brains right now that suicide is not the answer.
ReplyDeleteDrum - I saw that interview. If I recall correctly, he said there was "instant regret" the moment his hands left the railing.