'Will God Forgive Me
for Feeling This Way?' Associating with Jehovah's Witnesses has helped many to overcome suicidal thoughts. Yet, no one today is immune to life's stressful events or to depression. Christians who have thought of taking their life often contend with profound feelings of guilt over having such thoughts. The guilt may only add to their burden. So how can such feelings be dealt with?
It is worth noting that some faithful men and women in Bible times expressed
profoundly negative feelings about life. Rebekah, the wife of the patriarch Isaac,
was once so distressed over a family problem that she said: "I have come
to abhor this life of mine." (Genesis
27:46) Job, who suffered the loss of his children, his health, his wealth,
and his social standing, said: "My soul certainly feels a loathing toward
my life." (Job 10:1)
Moses once cried out to God: "Please kill me off altogether." (Numbers
11:15) Elijah, a prophet of God, once said: "It is enough! Now, O Jehovah,
take my soul away." (1
Kings 19:4) And the prophet Jonah repeatedly said: "My dying off is better
than my being alive."—Jonah
4:8.
Did Jehovah condemn these individuals for feeling as they did? No. He even
preserved their expressions in the Bible. It is vital to note, though, that none
of those faithful ones let their feelings drive them to commit suicide. Jehovah
valued them; he wanted them to live. The fact is, God is concerned even about
the lives of wicked ones. He urges them to change their ways and 'actually keep
living.' (Ezekiel 33:11)
How much more does he want those who are concerned about winning his favor to
keep living!
God has provided the ransom sacrifice of his Son, the Christian congregation,
the Bible, and the privilege of prayer. This line of communication with God—prayer—never
has a busy signal. God can and will hear all who approach him with a humble, sincere
heart. "Let us, therefore, approach with freeness of speech to the throne
of undeserved kindness, that we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness
for help at the right time."—Hebrews
4:16.
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