Thoughts and Inspirations through the Journey! :)

“And everyone’s quoting their teachers and preachers, but their words make me feel so alone.  No one ever says that they’ve had those thoughts in the middle of the night.  No one ever admits that they wanted to take their life…”

– Emery, I Never Got to See the West Coast

People need to know that hope exists.  They need others to lift them up in prayer, hold them accountable, and encourage them.  As I’ve seen it, Christian community ought to encompass this for all members of the body.  The joy of fellowship should then overflow into the community and the helping of others.  Living in a community that is open and honest can be the start of change.  We get to love people, and love them well.

Let’s face it…  The crisis of suicide is horribly tragic.  It’s a fragile topic; one we wish didn’t have to be discussed.  But we can’t not talk about it.  We can work to prevent lives lost.  We can help people get through their moments of darkness and difficulty.

Christians, what if we were living as Jesus Himself called us to live?  What if we were truly living to love God and love people as we love ourselves (Mark 12:29-31; 1 John 4:7)?  And remembering all the while that this struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

The reasons behind suicide are numerous.  Suicide cares not and no one is exempt.  If you’d have told me at fourteen that between ages sixteen and seventeen I would attempt suicide on at least three separate occasions, I wouldn’t have believed you.  I was happier then, a newly-baptized Christian….and surely Christians don’t do that, right?

I was wrong.

We hold on to false beliefs.  We believe so many lies.  1 John 4:1 tells us we ought to test the spirits, for not all are of God.   We are not perfect, and we are susceptible to the temptation of darkness around us.  False spirits, false beliefs, those that torment people to tell them they don’t deserve to live, that they’re worthless, etc. are everywhere.  Christians are not immune.  But we know in Christ we have authority over such spirits (Luke 10:19-20).

It’s hard.  It is.  This is proven in that the rate of suicide is increasing.  According to Newsweek, suicide is now the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15-49.  No one should have to face the darkness alone.

What if we made life easier on each other?

People need to know hope exists for them.  In some of my darkest moments, an encouraging word went a long way.  Written notes were always the best – that meant I could look back on them when I started wavering.  Some were simple expressions of gladness for my life, that I light up a room, that I exist.  Others were reminders to persevere through the darkness.  Regardless, every note made me remember why life was worth living when I felt I had nothing left to give.

Step up.  Live the life you were meant to live.  Use your gifts and talents for the glory of God.  For me, I’m a writer.  I write to encourage others.  Encourage others to move as they can, encourage others to think about matters of life and the heart – the exact purpose of writing this blog.

Let’s love others.  Let’s get the help we need, so we can step out and help others.  We can be the change.  We have the ability to save lives.  Be a safe person for those in need.  Listen, and be intentional.  Be Christ.

We all need a little help sometimes.  Honestly, the last place we should feel alone is within beloved community.  We ought to bear one another’s burdens, and lighten the weight.  Tell people why it is they ought to stay alive.  Remind them they are valuable.  Never take a life for granted.  I’ve spent hours on the phone and on late-night chats with friends, begging them to stay alive.  I am grateful to report they all have.  It is my hope that my time and effort helped keep them safe as I followed the call of Christ to be with them.

We’re called to live this day.  Celebrate it, cherish it.  It’s all we’ve got.  We’re told not to worry about tomorrow.  We are living a story in the way we live our lives.  Let’s be known as a people who were unafraid to show they cared, to be the support of someone else, who reached out, who sought welfare in every situation.  We will not give up.  We will rise above.

Bless somebody.  You can make a difference in someone’s life.

“Do not avoid those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn.” – Sirach 7:34

If you are suicidal, I urge you to reach out.  Seek help.  You are not alone.   The darkness likes to make us believe we are.  Hold fast.  Stand your ground.  You’re worth more than this.  You are not ‘weak’ for feeling this way.  Please know that you cannot be replaced.  We all have worth.  We’re all unique.  We all have purpose.  You are valuable.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that all of this is true.  Go ahead, test it.  Live it out.  Be Jesus to the world around you.  God bless you on this journey.

Grace and peace to you,

Kady