How One Question Can Stop a Suicide
At his lowest moment, Kevin Hines jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge—and immediately wanted to live. Today’s devotion offers hope for anyone battling despair and reminds us how one simple question could save a life.
At his lowest moment, Kevin Hines jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge—and immediately wanted to live. Today’s devotion offers hope for anyone battling despair and reminds us how one simple question could save a life.
What if one question could stop someone from ending their life?
At age 19, Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. The moment he let go, he regretted it. Miraculously, he survived—and now shares his story to help others. In today’s devotion, we look at what Psalm 34:18 says about God’s nearness in our darkest moments, and how we can be part of someone else’s rescue.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
- The heartbreaking truth Kevin realized the moment he jumped
- What Psalm 34:18 promises to the crushed and brokenhearted
- Why asking “Are you OK?” might be the most powerful thing you do today
If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please don’t wait.
Call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential help.
NEED PRAYER?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’d be honored to pray for you.
Click “Send me a text” at the end of these show notes or leave a private voicemail at www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail. You’re not alone—and I’ll hold your request in confidence.
Bring Suicide Intervention Training to your church or organization
You can learn how to save a life in as little as 2 hours. Go to https://stresscaredoc.com/suicide-intervention-training to find out how to bring this training to your church or organization.
SCRIPTURE VERSE MENTIONED:
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
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At 19 years old, Kevin Hines walked across the Golden Gate Bridge feeling completely hopeless.
He believed the world would be better without him.
So he climbed the railing… and jumped.
But the moment his hands left the rail, he says one sentence echoed in his heart:
“I want to live.”
He hit the water at 75 miles per hour. Miraculously, he survived. Shattered vertebrae. Intense pain. But still breathing.
A U.S. Coast Guard boat pulled him from the water—and that rescue became a wake-up call.
Today, Kevin travels the world telling his story and urging others to ask one simple, life-saving question:
“Are you OK?”
Welcome to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. I’m Bart Leger.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or heartbroken today—or if someone close to you is—this episode is for you.
Let’s talk about God’s nearness when life feels too dark to go on, and how we can be the voice of hope to someone else.
We’re given a wonderful promise in Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Friend, if you’ve ever felt like life isn’t worth living, I want you to hear this:
You matter. You are seen. And God is not far away.
Psalm 34:18 doesn’t say God is far off, watching from a distance.
It says He is close to the brokenhearted.
Not just aware—but near.
Not just sympathetic—but ready to rescue.
As someone who works in suicide intervention, I’ve talked with people who were just moments away from giving up.
And I’ve seen the power of a well-timed conversation. A caring friend. A lifeline of hope.
That’s why I train churches across the country—not just to save souls, but to help save lives.
Because ministry isn’t just about Sunday mornings. It’s about noticing the person who’s falling apart and gently saying,
“You don’t have to go through this alone.”
If you’re struggling—or someone you love is in crisis—
you can now dial 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.
It’s free. It’s confidential. And someone will answer.
Don’t wait.
Your life matters too much.
And here’s today’s challenge:
Be brave enough to ask the hard question—“Are you OK?” “Are you thinking of suicide?”
And if you’re the one who’s not OK, be bold enough to answer honestly.
You don’t have to carry it alone. Not with a God who is near.
Not with a community willing to care.
“God, for the brokenhearted, be near. For the crushed in spirit, bring rescue. For those of us who are tired or afraid, shine light into our darkness. And help us all to be a voice of hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If this episode meant something to you, leave a rating or a review. It helps others find the hope they need too.
And if you’d like me to help your church or organization learn how to save lives through suicide intervention training, please reach out. I can help. I’ll leave the link in the show notes about this training. I don’t charge churches for this training. All I ask is a love offering to cover my costs.
Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. Remember—your life has value, and you are never alone. Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God’s truth. Until then, God bless, and have a great day!
