Help for cutters and others who self-injure in some way

Depression is a common problem. Photo Courtesy of Films for Christ. Copyrighted. Licensed
Depression is a common problem.

Self-injury in the form of cutting has become an increasingly popular practice among young people. We are often contacted by young women and men who are doing this to themselves, and seeking help.

“Contrary to popular myth, people who harm themselves are not trying to commit suicide. They use self-harm as a way of coping with difficult emotions. Instead of expressing their feelings openly, they take them out on their bodies by cutting or burning themselves, picking their skin, taking an overdose, bruising themselves or pulling their hair out.

…Triggers for self-harm can include bullying, bereavement, pressure at work, abuse, financial problems, pressure to fit in and relationship problems. When these pressures pile up, people can find it difficult to cope. Some say that they feel things are out of control.

One sufferer said: ‘I think control’s a big thing. You can’t control what’s happening around you, but you can control what you do to yourself.’

Self-harm is often linked to feelings of self-hatred and depression and appears more common in women than men. Experts suggest this may be because men find it easier to express emotions like anger in an outward way or take it out on others. Some people find it difficult to give up the behavior despite realizing that it could be life-threatening and is not rational” (BBC News - medical report).

Woman. Copyrighted image.
Biblical Answers

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25).

How can I be and feel forgiven? - Answer

If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer

Suicide, what does the Bible say? Answer

If God knows I am HURTING, why doesn’t He help me? Answer

Does God feel our pain? Answer

What should a Christian do if overwhelmed with DEPRESSION? Answer

Are there biblical examples of DEPRESSION or how to deal with it? Answer

I’M UGLY. Why was God so unfair to me this way? Answer

Are you harming yourself by cutting, burning or in some other way? This is an outward expression of all the pain you are carrying inside. God understands why you do it. He sees the turmoil and shame inside of you. He wants to help, if you will let Him. Some are harming themselves because they think that they’re hopelessly bad, and they are filled with guilt, or they feel they’re losing control.

“…Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord And rely upon his God.” —Isaiah 50:10 NKJV excerpt

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” —Romans 7:18-24 ESV

If you are reaching for hope and help, we urge you to contact a licensed Christian counselor in your area for personal assistance in overcoming this problem. If you don’t know where to find one, contact a pastor who can help you locate an expert. All the anxiety and problems that you are facing can be overcome.

Useful off-site links about cutting and other forms of self-injury

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Article Version: May 28, 2021