What can you do when you have nothing left to live for? That depends on what steps you took to come up with that conclusion. We come up with all sorts of ideas and plans when we are tired, excited, sad, angry, etc.
Our emotions can be like a rudder on a ship. They can direct us to the correct destination or veer us off into the middle of the desolate ocean. These emotions can even cause us to sink. The question "what to do when you have nothing left to live for" is a very deep question. It can have some pretty serious consequences if you don't don't take the right steps to answer it properly.
Please consider the following steps before making any lifelong and permanent decisions:
Relax and Take a Deep Breath
Stress can cause us to think negatively and can impact our decisions, so the first thing you should do is try the Navy Seal breathing technique. This is a time tested technique that releases stress hormones from our bodies quickly.
Sit or lie down.
Take a breath and inhale for 4 seconds.
Hold the air in your lungs for 4 seconds.
Exhale and empty all the air from your lungs for 4 seconds.
Count for 4 seconds while your lungs are empty.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 between 10 and 20 times or as long as you need to feel relaxed and stress free.
Think Over and List your Options
Now that you are in a relaxed state you can think about your possible options. Make sure to think about all the things you can do in the future. What can you do? Who can you do them with? Where will you go? Why is it a good or bad idea? List out all of the dreams you have ever had even if they seem impossible. Have you ever wanted to start a business? Climb a mountain? Find love? Find God? Help people?
There are many things you can do. Make sure you list them out. We tend to get more ideas as we see them on paper. It helps us become more creative and might be able to find some hope this way.
Pray and Seek Guidance
Have you prayed about your decision? Sometimes we have big decisions in life that need some supernatural help and guidance. Jesus said "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." If you ask in faith, your prayers will be answered." (Matthew 7:7)
Have you prayed and not received an answer? It could be because you have never truly given your life to Jesus. Say this prayer and then ask for guidance:
God, I believe you exist. I believe You sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I believe He died for me and that He rose from the grave and still lives today. I believe in You and choose to serve You. Please deliver me from all the negative thoughts in my head and give me peace. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit. Please forgive me of my sins and lead me to where You want me to go.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Let us know you said that prayer by going to the Pray for Me page. If you click the button it will send us a notification. That will alert us that someone is struggling and we will immediately pray for you.
Talk with your Loved Ones
What have we done ever since we were babies? Ask for help! We have ben asking for help throughout our entire lives. If the car isn't working right, you might ask your dad or uncle. If you don't know how to spell something, you ask a friend of family member. We have been asking and getting advice our entire lives. From the smallest problem to the biggest one.
Why wouldn't we ask when it has to do with taking our own life? This is the biggest decision you will ever make, so why wouldn't you get a second opinion for a fresh perspective? Go and ask some trusted people what you should do. Ask them what else you have to live for. I bet they will give you some pretty good ideas to add to your list. DONT SKIP THIS STEP!
Create a Plan
After you have written down some things to look forward to, you need to make a plan how you can accomplish them. If you haven't come up with anything this means that you skipped some of the steps. If this is you, go back and complete each one. I promise that you will have at least one thing if you go through all the steps.
Make the plans and then write out short and long-term goals for how you will accomplish them. Keep in mind that nothing big was ever accomplished in a day. Small progress every day will bring in some big progress and eventual success. DON'T GIVE UP!
Take Action
Once the plans are established you will need to carry them out. If you want to get healed, go and do what your physician is telling you. Try and maintain a healthy schedule. Once you take the steps and keep going you will eventually make it into a habit. Good habits produce amazing results. Make sure to rest so you don't get burned out, but not too much so you lose momentum. I was a Marine Corps infantryman so I know our mind and body can go way further than you think they can.
Keep Praying
Don't stop praying! If you said that prayer above you can be sure that God hears your prayers. He wants to have a relationship with you. Talk to Him about your day. He wants to be part of everything in your life. Have you ever heard the saying that God is a jealous God? It's because He loves you so much and wants to have a relationship with you.
He is the potter and you are the clay. He made you and the rules of the universe. He wants to spend time with His creation, but not if you don't want too. He won't force you. You have to take the steps to get closer to Him. Either way, He loves you so much that He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for your sins so that you won't perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
I promise you that you do have something to live for. Complete the steps I gave above and and you will find what you truly need. LIFE.
If you truly are contemplating taking your own life and really believe that you have nothing left to live for then please visit my I Want to Kill Myself page and read my testimony.
Take care and God bless.
If you speak English and need to talk with someone right now please call our partner prayer line at: 1-866-273-4444
If you want to pray with someone via email please use: prayer@crossroads.ca
Or visit The Crossroads website to submit the prayer request there.
You can also visit the Castle Streaming Service at watch.intothecastle.com
