Suicide Shatters Life

Whitney Hopler

Suicide enters survivor's lives like a thief in the dark. As it robs you of someone you hold dear, it will shock you and leave you feeling violated. People aren't supposed to end their own lives, and when a loved one does so, the grief and unanswered questions you experience may make you feel as if your own life is coming to an end.

But there is always hope. If you turn to God, He will pick up the broken pieces of your shattered life and restore you in the aftermath of a loved one's suicide.

Here are some ways you can rely on God to heal after someone you love has committed suicide:

Adapted from Standing in the Shadow: Help and Encouragement for Suicide Survivors, copyright 2002 by June Cerza Kolf. Published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., www.bakerbooks.com, 1-800-877-2665.

June Cerza Kolf is a veteran of hospice work who has counseled many grieving people and written about bereavement.

Has someone you loved committed suicide? If so, how did God help you heal in the aftermath? Have you ever considered suicide yourself, but changed your mind after God met you in the middle of your despair? If so, what encouragement would you like to offer others who might be struggling with despair right now? Visit Crosswalk's forums to discuss this topic by clicking on the link below.

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