Suicide

In the Tewahedo Orthodox faith, suicide is absolutely condemned. We believe God is the giver of life, so only He and He alone can take our life. We have no authority to decide to end our life, just as we are not permitted to take the life of another human being.  Therefore, no matter how big your problem, situation or sin may be. It is never too big for God to handle. We live by faith and hope in He that is greater than us, in the Almighty and Holy God, who can move mountains on our behalf.  Nothing is too great for Him!  

Therefore, I hope and pray that you never resort to suicide to end your problem or situation, because it is NEVER the answer.  I also wish I could say it never happens, but  having worked with troubled youth and young adults for over ten years, I know to well that this problem does exist. My earliest experience with suicide was getting in an Ambulance with a thirteen year old  young girl, who had slit her wrist in hopes of killing herself, so she could end her pain. I never imagined that  much blood could come out of a frail young girl’s body.  She had been physically and sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend for many years, until she  finally spoke up.  Her mom sided with the boyfriend and disowned her daughter completely and had given up her parental rights to the State.  The feeling of abandonment, hopelessness, shame, guilt, anger, sadness and sorrow was too much for this young girl to bear.

As people in the world  are moving further and further away from Christ and into demonic things, no wonder we are seeing an increase in suicide rates. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds. In the US, the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention reports that: Overall, suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for all US Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people 15-24 years.

As Christians, we are never to lose hope, because the Scripture teaches us to be strong and of good courage, to not fear nor be afraid; for the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us ( Deuteronomy 31:6). However, if you are in the midst of turmoil in your life and you are grasping for something to give you hope. Please reach out to your Priest, family or friends for help.