Suicide, Hope, and Purpose

“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?” —Job 6:11

Back from the Edge

On the day Michelle decided to end her life, she felt she’d reached the end of a tiring and difficult journey. She’d tried hard to find another outcome, but now all her options were gone. All of her second chances had failed.

Michelle thought about her parents. She’d never been close to her mother, but her father had been her beloved best friend. When he ended his life years before, she was devastated. Since then, her life spiraled, slowly collapsing under the weight of grief, anger, and self-condemnation.

She had fallen into a deeper depression and now felt even worse because there had been a few times when she’d actually dared to hope. Twice she’d been given extraordinary help to get back on her feet. Each time, she found great jobs, paid off her debts, and thought she might be finally digging herself out of the dark hole of her life.

But now, once again, Michelle’s work hours were being cut back. She was reeling. She was tired of pretending to be happy, tired of working so hard to just end up scraping by. She felt this final blow was a sign that, no matter what she did, her time was done. Nothing would get better. This time, she determined to follow through on the decision to end her life.

One of her final steps as she prepared to say her goodbyes would be to contact her mother. They hadn’t spoken in years, but Michelle decided to reach out to her one more time.

A Surprise Message

When Michelle signed on to her computer, she noticed an unusual message from someone she didn’t recognize. He was asking if she used to work at a certain business.

She sent a brief response that she had indeed worked there many years ago, but after sending the email, she didn’t think any more of it. Her focus was on contacting her mom and making her final plans. The next day, when she checked back to see if her mom had responded, she discovered a reply from the unknown person reminding her of their interaction years prior.

Michelle answered, and they began to exchange messages. Eventually, she found herself sharing some of her struggles. That’s when her new friend suggested she check out a resource called Amazing Facts and their message about God.

Michelle was reluctant. For one thing, she’d previously tried to read the Bible with no success in understanding it. For another, she felt that Christians would automatically condemn her beloved father for taking his own life—and condemn her for contemplating doing the same.

But one day, still battling her ongoing desperation, Michelle tuned in to Bible Answers Live, Amazing Facts’ call-in radio program. Listening to Pastor Doug Batchelor answer each question with kindness and Bible truth caused something to shift inside her heart.

Her friend then showed her the Cosmic Conflict DVD, and Michelle suddenly felt like a light switched on for her. “I felt renewed and wanted to know more. My friend began showing me sermons by Pastor Doug.” Michelle longed to learn about Christ and to really know Him.

She began exploring a variety of Amazing Facts resources made possible by the faithful support of donors. Because of your gifts, Michelle heard message after message filled with life-giving words. She began to believe, for the first time ever, that she could be forgiven by God.

Today, she shares that her major heart conversion occurred when she heard Pastor Doug talk about suicide. “Pastor Doug mentioned how we do not truly know what is in a person’s heart prior to committing suicide. This was huge for me. I also loved that he remained truthful in what the Bible says. And I also learned that God is so merciful. I no longer fear an eternal hell for my father. I feel only hope, repentance, and love each day.”

Honoring Leads to Healing

As the weeks and months passed, Michelle’s special online friendship with the guy from her past turned into time together in person. They grew to love each other, and today they are married and parents to a beautiful daughter.

Michelle looks back on many milestones of healing as she listens to Pastor Doug’s messages. A particular revelation came when she heard his message about the Ten Commandments. “Before my conversion, I had almost no relationship with my mother due to things that I could not let go. After hearing Pastor Doug talk about honoring our parents, I felt the need to change my attitude. I completely let go of any negative past incidents, and now I can say we are closer than we have ever been! I have so much more respect and love for her. My husband and I introduced her to Amazing Facts, and now she watches and listens too!”

Thankful for Undeserved Blessings

Michelle marvels at the enormous changes in her life. She is especially grateful for the ministry of Amazing Facts made possible by our donors. “Thank you for your continued support and love that you give to the world. I wake up each day thanking God for undeserved blessings. If I had never come across Amazing Facts, I feel I wouldn’t know Christ at all and wouldn’t even be here today. I feel so blessed to know that I am loved and, no matter what trial I may go through, I can always rely on Christ to get me through it.”


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21 Comments
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Rx12
Greetings I have a friend who's contemplating suicide and I want to reach her spiritually,howdo I fo about doing that ?
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Moderator
Amazing Facts
We're sorry to hear that. This is the response we usually give to those that comment about it here in the comments section:

We are so saddened to hear that you suffer from a burden too heavy to bear further and have reached a point where you feel there are no other options.  Please know that there are!  Not only are God’s promises there to strengthen you, there are many avenues of varying types of help. He loves you with a deeper love than you can even imagine, and wants to give you “abundance of life”. Sometimes our feelings can seem overwhelming, but no matter what your emotions are telling you, the truth is that God has a definite place and work for you to do in this life.  Cling to Him in your moments of depression, and He will carry you through.  Psalms 23 is your personal assurance that the Good Shepherd will never let you down. When you are suffering, remember that you are not alone.  Jesus is there, at that very moment, and He has the most intimate intuition as to exactly what you are feeling.  Remember, there is no plight that we face that Jesus did not also encounter while on earth. Don’t forget, you are deeply loved by our Father in Heaven! Please call one of the numbers here, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 and our Prayer Line, 800-835-6906.
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Exodus 20.8-11
Hello Michelle, God bless your walk, you are a powerful testimony for Christ! Praise God!
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Deo
Michelle Jesus loves you keep going to reach and achieve what he intends for you.
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Sandra
My heart goes out to Michelle, i can really relate, because i lost my one, and only child in 2016 to a drug overdose, and i was so tortured that he had gone to hell, that i had many thoughts about taking my own life, until i ran across Doug on you tube, and it was a series on hell, and how God would never torture someone for eternity, and how God looks at the heart, and the situation that person was in, after that i have been watching Doug every since, and i have learned so much about the word of God, where i was so mislead all my life. I now have my sister's, and friend's watching him, and they are so amazed on what we are learning! Thank you Doug for all you have taught me! I make it a point now to study with you everyday, and i understand so much more, about Gods word, and what a loving God he is! You have truly changed my life in your teachings.
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Nathan
I always enjoy listening to those messages
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PeterM
I'm glad God in pulled her in before it was too late. That conversation with her friend was a lifesaver. There's always more to do and a greater story to tell in this life and the next.
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Darryl
Thank God that His spirit reached this lady before she did irreparable damage to herself and to others.
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EVELYN
So happy for you Michelle!
Even though the quote"GOD works in mysterious ways" is not biblical
ALMIGHTY GOD truly works in mysterious ways that we dont comprehend until we see the end result AND then all we can do is marvel just marvel and praise HIM
Glory and honor belong to our GREAT GOD
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Carolyn L
May God continue to bless and keep you!
Thank you for sharing your testimony:)
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K. Chin
Amen God provides hope through His Don Jesus
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Deborah
Thank you pastor Doug for all you do and may God bless you all the days of your life and your ministry
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Rob
I wasn't planning on my eyes welling up with tears,
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Lee
Awesome testimony on how God has rescued you! So happy for your new-found peace + happiness :-) May God continue to bless you & guide your walk closer to him.
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Kibet
Thanks for your inspiring message as we begin these new year 2022 i am looking forward for more Be bless
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Michelle
AMEN!!! <3
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Vusi
What an amazing testimony! Thank you Michelle may God keep blessing you and further strengthening your walk with Christ.
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Opal
Morning Amazing Facts Bible Answers Team and Pastor Doug Batchelor,
How do you ask for help from judgmental christian’s who are in leadership position within your own church that have a negative bias towards you for just being different then they are walking into church every weekend?
How do you address that in a Christlike way that doesn’t promote segregation amongst others that are willing to associate with the “regent/ baby Christian”?
Do we run away from the temptation that they’re involved in or do we encourage them by leaving alone to figure it out? Please keep me in prayer as I make choices towards our Lord, Creator, Heavenly Father, and Living King of all kings.
God bless your all at amazing facts.
Sincerely,
Another Sinner trying to figure out how to be more like Jesus.
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EVELYN
1Kings 3:5
King Solomon asks for wisdom
James 1:5
"If anyone lacks wisdom Let him ASK
Luke 11:9
ASK and it shall be given unto you
SEEK and you will find
KNOCK and it shall be opened unto you
GOD ALMIGHTY bless you
PRAY KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON THE CROSS
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Amazing Facts
Thank you for your questions! Unfortunately, we're unable to answer Bible questions here, so if you would like to receive a personal Bible answer from Amazing Facts, you can ask it at this link: https://www.amazingfacts.org/about-us/bible-questions  We look forward to answering your question! We’d love to pray for you! Let our prayer team at Amazing Facts know about your prayer request by writing us here: http://www.amazingfacts.org/about-us/prayer-requests
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Brie
Thank you Michelle for telling your story of how the Lord rescued and then blessed you over and above all you could think or ask! Glory to God!