The issue of wanting to die is a complex one that many people struggle with. According to the Bible, life is a gift from God and we are called to value and protect it. However, there are times when people experience deep anguish and despair that leads them to contemplate ending their life. What does the Bible say about these difficult situations?
First, it is important to recognize that the desire to die often comes from extreme emotional pain. When people are hurting deeply, they may see death as the only way to end their suffering. The Bible acknowledges that life can be filled with sorrow and adversity. For example, Job suffered terrible losses, loneliness and illness to the point where he cursed the day he was born (Job 3:1-11). The prophet Elijah was so despairing that he asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). So scripture does not gloss over or minimize the reality of human pain and hardship.
At the same time, the Bible consistently presents life as a precious gift from God that we are called to preserve and honor. After creating mankind, God declared His creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31). All people are made in the image of God, bestowing inherent dignity and worth (Genesis 1:27). Life itself is a blessing and abundant life is promised as the will of God for His people (John 10:10). Suicide is portrayed as a tragic loss of a sacred gift, not as a morally neutral choice. When Saul dies by suicide, his death is mourned, not praised (1 Samuel 31:3-5). Additionally, one of the Ten Commandments states “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), which would prohibit taking one’s own life.
However, while suicide is never presented as a good or appropriate option, the Bible also conveys God’s mercy and comfort to those who are struggling. God promises that He hears their cries and is always present in their time of trouble (Psalm 34:17-18). Even when people feel like giving up, God provides strength to endure (Isaiah 40:31). He forgives and redeems sin, even the sin of suicide. Saul was anointed king even after he attempted suicide (1 Samuel 31:3-4). So there is always hope in God’s grace.
The book of Job provides insight into responding to a longing for death. After cursing the day of his birth, Job ultimately repents of his despair (Job 42:1-6). His friend Elihu gently rebukes Job for justifying himself rather than God (Job 32:2). Elihu reminds Job that God is greater than any human perspective, and thus believers must trust in God’s righteousness, wisdom and sovereignty even in the midst of suffering (Job 36:5-26). In the end, Job is commended for maintaining his faith despite his misguided words (Job 42:7).
So in processing feelings about death, the Bible first encourages honestly acknowledging pain and seeking help. Suicidal thoughts should not be ignored or numero minimized but addressed with care, counsel and support. Secondly, Scripture calls us to recognize that our lives belong ultimately to God. Our days are ordained and determined by Him (Psalm 139:16). We can feel deep anguish but must choose to trust God rather than giving in to despair. Finally, believers are exhorted to anchor their hope in Christ and the resurrection. While death feels like the end, Jesus promises life beyond the grave for those who follow Him (John 11:25). This eternal spiritual life puts our struggles in perspective.
In summary, it is not inherently sinful to think about death when in the depths of hopelessness. But dwelling on or moving toward suicide goes against God’s design for our lives. Scripture does not condemn those who contemplate ending their pain but points them to the Lord who sustains the weary. With supportive community and reliance on the Spirit, even the most broken can find strength to endure suffering and affirm that life is a gift from God worth protecting.
Some key Bible verses about life, death and hope include:
Genesis 1:27 – God created mankind in his own image.
Genesis 1:31 – God saw all he had made and it was very good.
Exodus 20:13 – You shall not murder.
Job 3:1-11 – Job laments the day of his birth.
Psalm 139:16 – All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
John 10:10 – I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
1 Kings 19:4 – “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Psalm 34:17-18 – The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
1 Samuel 31:4-5 – Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.
Job 42:1-6 – Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Romans 5:3-5 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
