Hope for Those Left Behind in the Aftermath of Suicide

If you are in crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You are not alone.

Recently, I did a podcast on a very, very difficult subject to talk about, and that is suicide.

Sadly, we hear about suicide every day, or we read about it in the newspaper or on social media. It seems to be especially rampant right now — Hollywood actors are committing suicide, business people, wealthy people, hurting teens and veterans living on the streets — and it hits home.

Most people know someone who has taken his or her own life, or maybe they’ve even had a close relationship with someone who has committed suicide. Maybe it’s even been a member of your own family. The spirit of suicide has brought devastation to so many. It’s touched so many lives, in so many homes and the aftermath—the family that’s left behind—is so distraught. They are hurting and they’re looking for answers to their questions.

I’ve been wanting to talk about suicide because so many people are hurting due to what they’ve been through. You may not be aware, but back in the early 1980s, my only brother, Ronnie, committed suicide. At the time, it was announced all over America. It was in all the newspapers, on the TV news: “Oral Roberts’ son commits suicide.”

I was the one who found my brother, and one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life was to tell my dad and my mother. His death affected our entire family, not to mention Ronnie’s precious children.

Through the letters, phone calls and emails I receive through my ministry, I get questions regarding suicide quite often. And because I’ve had personal experience with this subject, I feel qualified to offer some insight on how to hang on to God and get through such a terrible and heartbreaking time. I share how my family found hope after devastating loss and address some of these questions in my podcast episode.

— Can a person who committed suicide go to heaven?

— God’s mercy and forgiveness.

— Letting hope in Christ and His resurrection be our anchor.

— How to recognize that thoughts of suicide are from the devil and how to overcome them.

Also, if you know someone who you think has been entertaining thoughts of suicide—or if you, yourself, are struggling with depression to the point of thinking about a way to end it all—please listen to this podcast.

God cares about you; you do have value and importance; and your life does matter. The Bible says God knew you even before you were born, when you were in your mother’s womb, and He loves you. He love you.just as you are. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, if you’ll let Him, He will bring you through.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has a great plan for your life, and it’s a good plan. Hold on to the lifeline of God and His Word and don’t let go.

If you are in crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-800-273-8255. You can also visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

For more Spirit-filled content like this, subscribe to Expect a Miracle with Richard Roberts on the Charisma Podcast Network.{eoa}

Richard Roberts, D. Min., is chief executive officer of Oral Roberts Ministries and co-hosts with his wife, Lindsay, a daily inspirational TV program, The Place for Miracles. Dr. Roberts is also the founder of the Richard Roberts School of Miracles, hosting thousands of online students from more than 140 countries. Richard conducts healing meetings throughout America, as well as ministers to and teaches pastors in underdeveloped countries the fundamental principles of healing, seed-faith and the Holy Spirit, so they may do the greater works of Jesus in their regions of the world.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.