I want to die, is that wrong?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Scripture honestly acknowledges times when life feels unbearable and shows people bringing their desire to die to God. For example, Moses felt overwhelmed by responsibility and wished for death (Numbers 11:14-15), Elijah asked to die because of threats against his life (1 Kings 19:4), and Job lamented bitterly, longing for relief (Job 3:1-26; 6:8-10). In each case, they spoke honestly, and God corrected their thoughts to focus on Him rather than themselves.

While the Bible recognizes such despair as a real emotion, it teaches that human life is precious because we are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27) and that He alone should decide when we die (Psalm 139:16). While alive, God offers meaningful work that blesses others (Ephesians 2:10). Even though being with Jesus is the ultimate hope, God has a purpose for each person today. We honor Him by making Jesus’ glory our focus (Philippians 1:21-26).

The Bible permits honest sorrow but cautions against self-centered despair. It points hearts toward hope in Jesus, reminding us that through suffering, God grows endurance and hope grounded in His love (Romans 5:3-5). When you feel like dying, God invites you to pour out your heart, seek help, and remember your God-given worth.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The opening pages of Scripture ground our worth in God’s design as He made men and women “in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). This means that every person reflects something of God’s dignity and that no one is disposable. Human life is, therefore, to be treated as sacred and to be protected (Genesis 9:6).
• God personally creates each person (Psalm 139:13-14) and sets how long we are to live (Psalm 139:16). Thus, the Bible establishes the inestimable value of every human life.
• Despite that foundation, even in the Bible, people who served God occasionally expressed the desire to die. Moses was overwhelmed by the weight of leading the people and pleaded with God, saying, “kill me at once” (Numbers 11:14-15). God did not scorn him, but helped him through that time by providing additional leaders to share the burden (Numbers 11:16-17; Numbers 11:24-25).
• Elijah’s story follows the same path and highlights God’s gentle care. After a spiritual battle and deep fatigue, Elijah said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4). God responded with rest, food, and a renewed sense of purpose (1 Kings 19:5-8). Once Elijah was emotionally rested, God then reminded him who He was and gave him his next mission (1 Kings 19:9-18).
• Job’s lament goes deeper still. After God allowed Satan to torment him and kill his family (Job 1:13-19), he cursed the day of his birth (Job 3:1-26) and longed “that it would please God to crush me” (Job 6:8-9). While Job’s friends offered shallow, unhelpful explanations for what was happening, God corrected his perspective on who God is, without dismissing his real pain and anguish (Job 38:1; Job 42:1-6).
• While there are tragic accounts of suicide, including Saul, Ahithophel, and Zimri (1 Samuel 31:4; 2 Samuel 17:23; 1 Kings 16:18), this route is never approved by Scripture. Instead, they are sober reminders of what happens when a person is isolated, filled with shame and despair, left to fester without turning to God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul ached to leave this sinful world to be with Jesus: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” and he admitted a longing “to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:21, 1:23). However, in the end he concluded that staying was better for others (Philippians 1:21, 23-26). His desire to be with Jesus was genuine, but he understood that he was on this Earth to serve others.
• While the suffering in this world is such that believers prefer to be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:1-8), God has a purpose for each believer’s life. However, he said that “we are always of good courage” and “make it our aim to please [the Lord]” (2 Corinthians 5:6a, 9b). .
• Sorrow is real, and we don’t need to pretend we’re happy when we’re actually in pain. Jesus’ own anguish in Gethsemane proves this. On the night before His horrific death, He said, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death …. My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:38-39). His honest expression shows that we, too, can bring our sorrow to the Father. Despite Jesus’ sorrow, He surrendered Himself to the Father’s will.
• Suffering is real, but it is not the end. Paul wrote that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” pointing to a future that outshines our present pain (Romans 8:18). James and Peter also explained that trials, though grievous, are given by God to build steadfastness and grow our faith (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). This doesn’t minimize our pain, but places it within the trajectory of God’s redeeming story, as He is making us more like Jesus.
• Salvation affirms the value of your body and your life. Paul teaches that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that “you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus gave up His rights as God and humbled Himself to be a human and die for other humans, which shows just how highly God values each person.
• Finally, God provides practical help through His people. The God of all comfort comforts us so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), and believers are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). God uses prayer, pastors, and steady companionship to preserve life (James 5:13-16; Hebrews 10:24-25). Bringing struggles into the light is an act of faith. In the body of Christ, you are not meant to suffer alone.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Wanting to die often stems from genuine suffering and is not always a sign of weak faith. Scripture shows that God listens to His people's cries and draws close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Your life matters because you bear His image, and He has given you purpose even when you cannot sense it. Seeking help through wise routines, rest, medical care, counseling, or the support of a church family can be ways to honor the life God has entrusted to you.

When you feel overwhelmed, take small steps toward hope: talk with someone, share honestly in prayer, and remember that God has promised never to leave or forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5). Relying on others during times of weakness is part of God’s design for the body of Christ.

If you do not yet know Jesus, understand that you will never fully escape despair because you lack an eternal hope to stabilize you. However, He gladly invites you to come to Him for forgiveness and life, and is ready to help those who are weak and in need of Him. He died and rose again to offer hope that cannot be taken away. If you already belong to Him, remember that He will accomplish His purpose for your life (Philippians 1:6). Your life is a gift, your future is secure in Christ, and God is not finished with your story.

UNDERSTAND

• God invites us to share our pain with Him.
• As God’s image-bearers, each human being is precious to Him, and He has a purpose for each of us.
• Support from our trusted Christian brothers and sisters can help us deal with our pain.

REFLECT

• How have you dealt with pain in your life?
• What do you pray for when you’re feeling anguished?
• How do you support your Christian brothers and sisters when they’re experiencing hardship?

ENGAGE

• What are some ways the church can support Christian brothers and sisters who are suffering?
• What type of outreach can believers make to unbelievers who are in pain?
• How can Christians communicate the gospel message of hope to a society that increasingly accepts euthanasia?