Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Suicide and Salvation

Suicide and Salvation

I would like to know if you can answer this – if someone is a true believer in Christ, but still just feels things are too much, I guess you could say, and that they should move on… If they committed suicide, could they still go to Heaven, or do you think that automatically sends someone to Hell?

I am 22 years old, and have been a believer all my life. I’ve always had a hard time with it, because of a lifelong history of abuse, neglect, and abandonment, which led to my own addiction problems. In short, you name it and it has probably either happened to me or i’ve done it. Now my deep rooted faith has always brought me back to God and I really do love him. I just say all that for a little background.  

Thank you for your time, I sincerely hope you’ll consider a response.

Sincerely, A confused girl


Dear Confused,

I am saddened to hear of your hardship, trauma, and heartbreaking experiences. It is clear you have been wounded and those wounds are not yet fully healed.

Let me first assure you that healing is possible. I have treated thousands of people who have been abused (physically and sexually) as children, neglected, abandoned, raped, assaulted, betrayed, abused in marriages, and more. And I have seen heart wounds heal, anxiety resolve, depression remit and frightened, angry, insecure individuals experience peace, joy and love.

So don’t despair, but be hopeful; your situation is not beyond remedy. In my experience the idea of suicide usually presents itself when a person is in some type of pain and begins to believe the pain will never end and there is no other escape. Suicide becomes what they think is their only “hope” of relief. This idea is false – suicide is not the way out.

There are few things on earth about which we can have certainty, but one thing I am certain about is that it is God’s will to heal our hearts and minds – here and now! It is true, we won’t get new bodies or brains until the second coming, but we can experience a new heart, a new attitude, a new perspective, a new way of feeling and thinking about ourselves and others. We can experience healing for emotional wounds and traumas here and now.

When one has been wounded, healing is often painful, but the pain of healing does not mean harm is occurring. Consider someone with a broken leg. Once the leg is broken, the process of setting the bone and physical therapy to recover strength is painful, but such pain is not evidence of harm.

Likewise, you have been injured. Your heart has been broken. There are deep wounds which have yet to heal. In the process this will be uncomfortable. Some of my patients initially misunderstand such pain and thus start the healing process only to withdraw and thus fail to improve. But for those who will tolerate the emotional discomfort of addressing their issues in a relationship with a competent professional, they experience healing and resolution of pain. If you will engage the process with a competent professional therapist, you will heal and the pain will gradually resolve.

You asked if one were a genuine believer in Christ, could one go to heaven if he or she committed suicide. If someone genuinely trusts Christ with his or her life, and opens the heart to Him, what would He like to do for them? What would He like for them to do?

Many people get confused about Christ’s role in the healing process. Many patients tell me they have prayed and prayed for years for Christ to take away their pain, yet they get no better. This would be similar to a patient asking the physical therapist to take away his weakness while the patient never actually does the exercises. The healing Christ wants us to experience, and for which He provides His power to help us achieve, requires our active participation. It is when we activate our energies in harmony with His to begin, step by step, applying His methods to our life that our brain rewires itself. The unhealthy, painful, emotional circuits will eventually be pruned and healthy calming circuits will be formed and we are literally changed in the process.

I encourage you not to give up. I encourage you to listen to the many free lectures on this website, including the Healing the Mind Seminar, Recovering from Sexual Abuse, Healing a Broken Heart and many more.

Thank you for reaching out and asking this question for it shows that you really do want help. Get in touch with a professional counselor in your local area and begin the healing process! You can get well!

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA