Upset teenage girl with smartphone sitting at window indoors. By New Africa/stock.adobe.com
While statistically, more and more teens are struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidality, we cannot forget the uniqueness of each soul—numbers represent individuals. Emily Gold, a 17-year-old girl appearing on America’s Got Talent, committed suicide last week. It’s impossible not to mourn the loss of someone so clearly gifted, beautiful, and young.
From an external perspective, Gold had everything to live for: family, friends, fame, and a promising future. By all accounts, she was not only successful and popular but also a young woman of character. Gold was the Senior and Varsity Dance captain and clearly a talented leader.
Her team posted, “Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart. She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend, and sister to her teammates.”
It’s still suicide awareness month
September is suicide awareness month. Being regularly reminded of such dark possibilities can change how we act each day. For example, such a shocking death like Gold’s can make us realize that even when others appear joyful, successful, and talented, their heart may hide something else. Of course, we can’t know why Gold took her own life, nor is it our place to speculate. Jesus’ teaching “do not judge” certainly applies here (Matthew 7:1).
However, her deeply tragic death should remind us that someone who seems to have everything might secretly struggle. As CS Lewis described, “I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.”
To the degree that each of us is given influence in someone’s life, we should use it to love, encourage, exhort, and pray them toward hope.
Last week, Rock Star Bon Jovi helped save a woman who was about to take her own life. The local police released a video of the encounter. Bon Jovi is shown calmly walking over and speaking with the woman. After a tense few moments, she steps away from the ledge. While Bon Jovi describes himself as a “recovering Catholic,” he nevertheless clearly demonstrated sacrificial love and compassion in a moment when others passed her by. That is Christ’s calling for us—don’t pass others by.
Does the Bible talk about suicide?
No Christian platitudes, or any platitudes, suffice in the face of suicidality. By our own measure, life can indeed become unbearable. Many biblical characters struggled with despair and symptoms resembling depression. For example, the prophet Elijah seriously wrestled with suicidality. After fleeing for his life into the wilderness, alone, he sat under a tree and gave up all hope. “And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers’” (1 Kings 19:4). The Bible does not shy away from depression.
In response, the Lord meets him where he is. God sends an angel to encourage him, saying, “Arise and eat,” miraculously providing food and water. Happy ending, right? Elijah immediately gives up again, showing himself to be a real person with complex sadness. God’s character is revealed in his next response: He provides for him again. This time, he sends the “Angel of the Lord,” which sometimes seems to refer to a pre-incarnate Jesus.
Still today, Jesus meets us where we are, and God delights in giving compassionate second chances.
As Paul says, it would be better to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). This world is often an evil, dark place, a faint shadow of the coming glory of New Creation. However, Christ can, and has, defeated all darkness. Its present reality is only a passing phase before the dawn, and, with his help, we can cling to hope in the midst of such darkness.
Denison Forum resources on suicide
Because God values life so dearly and the Bible takes suicide so seriously, we at Denison Forum have several resources to help you understand suicide. If you are contemplating suicide or need help immediately, call the suicide hotline at 988. Don’t wait. There is always hope.
For others who want to learn more, or want to help their congregation, a friend, or family member, consider checking out the following resources.
Suicide prevention podcasts
- To stop suicide every 40 seconds: Jacob Coyne with Stay Here discusses Christ-centered suicide prevention
- How to help prevent suicide and aiding survivors: A conversation with John Mark Caton
- Mental health, psychology, and faith: A conversation with Chris Legg, LPC
- How to navigate suicide, self-harm, depression, and emotions with preteens and teens: A conversation with Jeff and Terra Mattson
Suicide prevention articles
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