Suicidal thoughts can be best described as ideas or thoughts about ending one’s life. These are thoughts that run from a fleeting idea to a well-thought-out plan for committing suicide. These thoughts arise when a person is overwhelmed by agonizing pain and a sense of hopelessness, which includes despair, and perceives problems of life to be unbearably painful with no possible solution.
In moments of profound darkness and despair, when thoughts of suicide loom ominously, the search for comfort and hope can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, within the pages of the Bible, a sanctuary of solace emerges. It offers not only spiritual guidance but also a reservoir of words imbued with strength, healing, and the promise of redemption.
Bible Verses To Help With Suicidal Thought
Some factors that may lead to suicide ideation include the following: brain disorders, such as major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and PTSD; abuse, loss, and trauma; social isolation-lack of social support; stress from major life events, divorce, or death; chronic pain or illness; and used substances that contribute to poor judgment and increased despair.
These factors might lead to feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or an inability to deal with the stress of living. Reading the Bible can be comforting, hopeful, even a sense of purpose in life for people who have suicidal thoughts. Scriptures speak to the value of life, God’s endless love, and His promise to care for us at those darker moments.
These verses stand as a testament to God’s enduring love and compassion, extending a lifeline to those grappling with the overwhelming burden of suicidal thoughts. Let us delve into these verses, each a beacon of hope in despair.
Encouragement and Hope
1. Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
2. Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
5. Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
6. 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.”
7. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
8. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
9. Hebrews 13:5-6
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
10. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Strength and Resilience
11. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
12. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
13. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
14. Psalm 18:32
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
15. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
16. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
17. Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power.”
18. Psalm 138:3
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.”
19. Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
20. Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
God’s Love and Compassion
21. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
22. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
23. 1 John 4:9-10
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
24. Zephaniah 3:17
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
25. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
26. Psalm 103:13
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
27. Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
28. Psalm 136:26
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”
29. Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
30. 1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Promises of Deliverance
31. Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
32. Psalm 40:1-3
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”
33. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
34. Psalm 91:15-16
“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
35. Isaiah 43:16
“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters.”
36. Psalm 107:20
“He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
37. Nahum 1:7
“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”
38. Psalm 34:4
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
39. Psalm 91:1-2
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
40. Isaiah 41:13
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Comfort and Healing
41. Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
42. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
43. Jeremiah 17:14
“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
44. Psalm 30:2
“LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”
45. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
46. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
47. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“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 receive from God.”
48. Psalm 30:11-12
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”
49. Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.”
50. James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
I feel heartbroken to know that someone feels so badly about himself or herself that he or she would regard suicide as an exit option. These thoughts come with the weight of loneliness, hopelessness, and emotional exhaustion beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I only wish I could reach out to each of them and remind them that their life is precious, and there is hope, even if it feels hidden. Therefore I want these verses to be a source of strength and comfort, guiding those tormented by suicidal thoughts toward healing, peace, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
