Finding New Ways to Be Fulfilled

When you feel rejected by people you care about, your self-esteem can take a big hit, especially if it’s a pattern in your life. Over the years, I’ve noticed people reach out to me again and again about some of the most painful types of rejection:

• Rejection from Friends: Being rejected by friends is so tough. Friendship is a chosen bond, and you share a lot of things with them you may not share with anyone else. 
• Rejection from Family: Family relationships, especially parent relationships, can be complicated and messy. If you’re feeling rejected by family members, I know that can be so disorienting. Many of us are raised to believe family comes first. Sadly, it doesn’t always turn out that way.
• Rejection in Relationships: Being rejected in a romantic relationship is one of the toughest things we can go through. If you’ve been rejected by your partner, you have a lot of questions and are probably feeling very fearful and uncertain about the future.

Whatever kind of rejection you’re dealing with right now, I’m here to do my best to encourage you. You can find hope and support. You can find a way forward that is happier than the place you’re in now. 

Get Clear on What Rejection Means to You

Rejection seems pretty straightforward on the surface. But it can happen in a lot of ways, big and small. Getting clear on what rejection means to you is difficult. It brings up tough feelings and often reminds us of difficult situations. But it can be a valuable way to understand where you’re starting on this journey toward healing your broken heart and feeling better.

• What does it mean to you to be rejected?
• What has happened in order for you to feel rejected? 
  • Did a friend turn you down in favor or spending time with someone else? 
  • Did your boyfriend or girlfriend break up with you? 
  • Did a parent or family member express disapproval or disappointment? 
• Is the pain you’re dealing with now from one big rejection, or a bunch of small ones?
• Is this the first time you’ve ever dealt with these feelings? 
  • If so, what do you think will help you heal?
  • If not, how did you get beyond such difficult feelings in the past?

Acknowledge What Hurts

It can be tempting to stuff our painful feelings of being rejected down inside ourselves. We might try to ignore them, so we can get back to feeling happy as soon as possible. Or we might try numbing them out with TV, food, drinking, or other things we do to self-soothe.
But the truth of the matter is, we have to acknowledge what hurts. Otherwise, it will just fester, turning into bitterness and resentment over time.
Beyond noticing you feel rejected, perhaps you’ve also struggled with feeling some of these things:

• Fear: You might be afraid that, since you’ve experienced this rejection, you will only ever experience rejection from here on out.
• Abandonment: You might feel abandoned by the person you used to consider yourself close to after they reject you.
• Betrayal: Rejection often brings feelings of betrayal, especially when it comes as a shock or is from someone particularly close to us.

I’m not bringing this up to make you feel worse. But mentioning and understanding our feelings makes them easier to manage, because we can ask for specific support, and we can move forward in a way that makes sense for our feelings and our situation.

Realize Things Will Be Different 

Things are going to be very different in the aftermath of rejection. Whether or not you decide to patch things up, your relationship with the person who hurt you will now feel much more distant. 

Knowing things will shift and change can help you adjust your expectations. You may not be able to go to that same person, or people close to that person, for the quality time and affirmation you need. That does not mean all hope is lost, but you’ll need a different approach.

Things never change only for the worst, though. There will be new growth and new joy in your life, even after a painful rejection from a friend, family member, or loved one. 

You may meet new people, build new relationships, make new friends, and get to know other family members better than you expected to. Any of those new experiences have the potential to bring lots of joy and fun to your life. 

Do Things You Enjoy

Your feelings of rejection might have been compounded by the feeling that this person took up a lot of space in your life and in your heart. Maybe in some ways, it seemed like your sense of happiness was connected to that person. 

Of course, nothing and no one can replace a unique relationship in your life. But there are ways to fill that “hole” the person who rejected you left behind.

Doing things, you enjoy and find meaningful is a great start. You can use this time to find what makes you happy and fulfilled, even when there’s no one around to share it with, Things like:

• Enjoying Nature 
• Journaling
• Reading the Bible
• Praying

Have brought me a lot of fulfillments during solitary times of my life. Of course, I still love to be around people special to me. But learning to be happy on my own and focusing on my relationship with God who never will reject me meant there was less pressure on the relationships in my life to always fulfill me and never let me down. 

Find Things to Look Forward To

Does this experience of rejection have you feeling stuck in the past? 

Perhaps it's the immediate past, where you’re replaying your last conversations before the rejection in your head over and over and wondering what you could have done differently. 

Or maybe you’re thinking back over the whole course of the relationship and wishing you could be back in those happier places and times.

Either way, that kind of thinking will leave you feeling emptier and more frustrated after a while. Instead of dwelling in the past, what can you look forward to about the future?

• Do you have anything exciting coming up at school or work?
• Is there a new friend you’re enjoying getting to know?
• Are you planning any road trips?
• Are you working on a new craft or creative project?

Looking forward to even small things can help us shift our perspective away from the past and make our feelings of rejection easier to manage.

Ground Yourself 

Finding ways to ground yourself can help keep you from getting carried away by painful feelings. You can do this in many different ways, either by yourself or with guidance from someone you trust. Here are some things that might help:

• Breathing Exercises: In moments when you are overwhelmed by the pain of rejection, take a few seconds to breathe in, hold your breath, and breathe out. This can help you calm the physical feelings of stress that come along with difficult feelings.
• Focusing on Gratitude: Remembering what and who you are grateful for, even if it’s just a few things, makes a big difference when you are trying to heal during a tough time. 

• Write down 5-10 things or people you’re grateful for on a notecard. Carry that card with you or put it somewhere you look every day. You may find that, with time, focusing on a few things that make us thankful every day makes the harder things in our lives easier to bear.
• Meditation or Prayer: Just taking time to think can be very helpful when processing feelings of rejection. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about God, but it helps me to think about how He loves me unconditionally. If you feel open to thinking about that, it could be a source of great comfort to you. 

Get Encouragement When and Where You Need It

I’ve learned a difficult truth from my years of working as a counselor. Not all parents, childhood friends, and partners are as supportive as we think they should be. Just because someone is family, or is dating you, or has been your friend for years, doesn’t mean they’re who you need to listen to for your self-worth, especially if they’ve hurt you this way.

If friends are constantly rejecting or bringing you down, then they aren’t being true friends. If a romantic relationship is negatively impacting you to this extent, then maybe it’s time to break up. And if some of your family relationships are becoming stressful, you don’t have to rely on them for affirmation or trust them to help you through a difficult time.

Who is someone you can still ask for support? Call them or send them a message to let them know you could use some encouragement. If you see a counselor, make an appointment to meet with them and talk things over.

You can also find affirmation by finding out what God says about you. You are beautiful, dearly loved, and created for a purpose.
Talking to a Hope Coach at TheHopeLine can be a great way to share your feelings with someone who will listen without judgment and give you suggestions for how to move forward. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you know I believe in you, and I believe things will get better.

Reconnecting with Your Sense of Purpose is Possible

Life can be hard. And we each have our own individual challenges and struggles to contend with. Can you relate to this message we received recently?

“I’m writing because I just don’t see the point in trying to be hopeful and look forward to new experiences in life. It doesn’t seem to matter what I try or how hard I work, there’s always something disappointing or discouraging on the news, or something frustrating in my personal life. I wish I could feel more inspired, and more connected with my purpose, but I don’t know what to do differently to get to that point.”

You’re definitely not alone if you’re struggling to find a sense of meaning in your life. I get it. I know how frustrating it is to feel like there’s nothing new to look forward to, and nothing meaningful you can do to make a difference.

But I have found inspiration in some unexpected places. Here are some simple things you can try to feel more inspired to be hopeful, reconnect with your purpose, and find a sense of meaning in your life.

How to Find Meaning

1. Start with Creativity

Many of the musicians, painters, writers, photographers, and chefs we admire got to where they are today because they found beauty and excitement in their chosen art form and thought, “Hey, I could do that”. When in doubt about where to turn for inspiration, start by spending time exploring art forms you think are particularly beautiful or interesting, just to see what jumps out:

• Do you like the sound of a favorite song? Maybe you can try learning that instrument.
• Is there a beat or sound that always jumps out at you? You can try making your own on a sound mixing or DJ app.
• Think about your favorite meals. What keeps you coming back to those restaurants, or watching those cooking shows? Is there a recipe you can try at home to build your cooking or baking skills?
• Are you mesmerized by dance or ballet? Think of what it would be like to learn a dance routine, or even to try exercise programs with dance-like, rhythmic movements.
• The next time you read your favorite book, think about why it’s your favorite. Can you place yourself in a similar story, or write something from your favorite character’s perspective?

2. Become a Problem Solver

Some of the most interesting turns our lives can take happen when we notice a problem and do what we can to solve it. For example:

• If you love dogs, you could find a whole new sense of purpose by volunteering for an animal shelter or fostering a pet.
• If you’ve ever experienced prejudice or discrimination, you might draw inspiration from the history of civil rights movements, and get to know a local organization who you identify and connect with.
• If you’ve noticed there’s not a lot of green space in your neighborhood, it might be fun to explore the idea of planting a community garden.

There are lots of possibilities when it comes to finding inspiration to become a problem solver. If you’re not sure where to start, try thinking back on your life up to this point:

• What are some problems or hang-ups you’ve had to overcome in your life? Did any of your growth inspire you to help others in tough situations?
• Who made a difference for you? Is there someone in your life or your neighborhood who could use a similar helping hand right now?

3. Change Your Scenery

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I realize that the reason I no longer feel inspired is that I’m stuck in a rut. If it feels like you’ve been seeing and doing the same thing every day, you may need a change of scenery.

Sure, you may not be able to take a lavish trip around the world. But even small changes in our routine and our surroundings can make a surprising difference when it comes to feeling inspired. Here are a few things you can try:

• Go for a drive. Getting in the car and hitting the road, even just for a ride around town or down some country roads, can be just the thing to shake off the blues. It’s also a great way to have some time alone with your thoughts, which can be a source of inspiration all its own.
• Walk around your neighborhood. Start taking daily walks around your neighborhood. Is there anything you notice along the way that reminds you of the beauty of nature, of a fun memory with friends, or of something fun you and your family tried together? Maybe you can take some pictures on your walk, or sit on a bench and journal about what comes to mind for you during these times.
• Try a new food. Trying a new dish or a new type of cuisine is a great way to shake up our routine and get ourselves inspired without having to travel far. Is there a type of international food near you you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe you could order takeout from that restaurant, then spend the evening watching a film or listening to music from that culture. You never know, you may find a favorite food, and a whole new set of interests.

4. Think About What Makes You Unique

Have you ever thought about what makes you unique? There’s only one you, after all. And taking time to think about what makes you unique can be a great way to feel more hopeful and inspired about ways you can bring your unique gifts and talents out in your own day-to-day life, and use them to uplift the people around you:

• What are you good at? What comes naturally to you? This could be a hobby, a skill, an artistic talent, or a personal strength.
  • How can you find joy in that gift or talent? What are some ways you can share that joy with the people in your life?

If you’ve got musical or singing chops, maybe you can share a video of your songs with friends. If you’re a talented writer, maybe you can send someone you care about a poem or a story. If you have a knack for making others feel better, you can send a few letters and cards every month to people in your life. Any of these steps can open up a new connection, can inspire you to try new things, or can help you form a sense of community around your interests

Thinking about what makes me unique is also helpful when I’m thinking about how my spiritual beliefs are connected to my sense of meaning.

Are you open to thinking about why you were created and put on this earth? If so, how does it make you feel to know that God gave you gifts, talents and skills all your own for you to develop and use to bring a sense of meaning to yourself and others.

5. Ask for Ideas

Sometimes getting an outside perspective is really helpful in our quest to feel more purposeful and inspired. Who do you look up to? Ask them what they do to lift their spirits, get out of a funk, and look at things in a new way.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything, we are here for you. A mentor can give you a whole new way of looking at your challenges, your routine, or your skills and talents, to help you feel more purposeful.

Talk to a Hope Coach today about finding meaning and unexpected inspiration to see what new ideas you can come up with together. We're here for you, and we are excited to learn about you and your unique talents.

Knowing how to feel better can be hard during tough times, but it can help to practice gratitude. Here are 5 ways to practice gratitude and feel better. 

Life is hard. And we each have our own individual challenges and struggles to contend with. Can you relate to this message we received recently?

How to Find Your Sense of Purpose

“I’m writing because I just don’t see the point in trying to be hopeful and look forward to new experiences in life. It doesn’t seem to matter what I try or how hard I work, there’s always something disappointing or discouraging on the news, or something frustrating in my personal life. I wish I could feel more inspired, and more connected with my purpose, but I don’t know what to do differently to get to that point.”

You’re definitely not alone if you’re struggling to find a sense of meaning in your life. I get it. I know how frustrating it is to feel like there’s nothing new to look forward to, and nothing meaningful you can do to make a difference.

But I have found inspiration in some unexpected places. Here are some simple things you can try to feel more inspired to be hopeful, reconnect with your purpose, and find a sense of meaning in your life

1. Start with Creativity

Many of the musicians, painters, writers, photographers, and chefs we admire got to where they are today because they found beauty and excitement in their chosen art form and thought, “Hey, I could do that”. When in doubt for where to turn for inspiration, start by spending time exploring art forms you think are particularly beautiful or interesting, just to see what jumps out:

• Do you like the sound of a favorite song? Maybe you can try learning that instrument.
• Is there a beat or sound that always jumps out at you? You can try making your own on a sound mixing or DJ app.
• Think about your favorite meals. What keeps you coming back to those restaurants, or watching those cooking shows? Is there a recipe you can try at home to build your cooking or baking skills?
• Are you mesmerized by dance or ballet? Think of what it would be like to learn a dance routine, or even to try exercise programs with dance-like, rhythmic movements.
• The next time you read your favorite book, think about why it’s your favorite. Can you place yourself in a similar story, or write something from your favorite character’s perspective?

2. Become a Problem Solver

Some of the most interesting turns our lives can take happen when we notice a problem and do what we can to solve it. For example:

• If you love dogs, you could find a whole new sense of purpose by volunteering for an animal shelter or fostering a pet.
• If you’ve ever experienced prejudice or discrimination, you might draw inspiration from the history of civil rights movements and get to know a local organization who you identify and connect with.
• If you’ve noticed there’s not a lot of green space in your neighborhood, it might be fun to explore the idea of planting a community garden.

There are lots of possibilities when it comes to finding inspiration to become a problem solver. If you’re not sure where to start, try thinking back on your life up to this point:

• What are some problems or hang-ups you’ve had to overcome in your life? Did any of your growth inspire you to help others in tough situations?
• Who made a difference for you? Is there someone in your life or your neighborhood who could use a similar helping hand right now?

3. Change Your Scenery

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I realize that the reason I no longer feel inspired is that I’m stuck in a rut. If it feels like you’ve been seeing and doing the same thing every day, you may need a change of scenery.

Sure, you may not be able to take a lavish trip around the world. But even small changes in our routine and our surroundings can make a surprising difference when it comes to feeling inspired. Here are a few things you can try:

• Go for a drive. Getting in the car and hitting the road, even just for a ride around town or down some country roads, can be just the thing to shake off the blues. It’s also a great way to have some time alone with your thoughts, which can be a source of inspiration all its own.
• Walk around your neighborhood. Start taking daily walks around your neighborhood. Is there anything you notice along the way that reminds you of the beauty of nature, of a fun memory with friends, or of something fun you and your family tried together? Maybe you can take some pictures on your walk, or sit on a bench and journal about what comes to mind for you during these times.
• Try a new food. Trying a new dish or a new type of cuisine is a great way to shake up our routine and get ourselves inspired without having to travel far. Is there a type of international food near you you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe you could order takeout from that restaurant, then spend the evening watching a film or listening to music from that culture. You never know, you may find a favorite food, and a whole new set of interests.

4. Think About What Makes You Unique

Have you ever thought about what makes you unique? There’s only one you, after all. And taking time to think about what makes you unique can be a great way to feel more hopeful and inspired about ways you can bring your unique gifts and talents out in your own day-to-day life, and use them to uplift the people around you:

• What are you good at? What comes naturally to you? This could be a hobby, a skill, an artistic talent, or a personal strength.
  • How can you find joy in that gift or talent? What are some ways you can share that joy with the people in your life?

If you’ve got musical or singing chops, maybe you can share a video of your songs with friends. If you’re a talented writer, maybe you can send someone you care about a poem or a story. If you have a knack for making others feel better, you can send a few letters and cards every month to people in your life. Any of these steps can open up a new connection, can inspire you to try new things, or can help you form a sense of community around your interests.

Thinking about what makes me unique is also helpful when I’m thinking about how my spiritual beliefs are connected to my sense of meaning.

Are you open to thinking about why you were created and put on this earth? If so, how does it make you feel to know that God gave you gifts, talents and skills all your own for you to develop and use to bring a sense of meaning to yourself and others.

5. Ask for Ideas

Sometimes getting an outside perspective is really helpful in our quest to feel more purposeful and inspired. Who do you look up to? Ask them what they do to lift their spirits, get out of a funk, and look at things in a new way.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything, we are here for you. A mentor can give you a whole new way of looking at your challenges, your routine, or your skills and talents, to help you feel more purposeful.

Talk to a Hope Coach today about finding meaning and unexpected inspiration to see what new ideas you can come up with together. We're here for you, and we are excited to learn about you and your unique talents.

Knowing how to feel better can be hard during tough times, but it can help to practice gratitude. Here are 5 ways to practice gratitude and feel better. 

She's Hearing Voices in the Night

Cinnamon is hearing voices in the night that she doesn’t understand and can’t explain. She explains, “Sometimes, I sit down. I’ll feel really calm, and I’ll start praying. And I feel I hear voices that call my name, “Cinnamon!” And I look around and there’s nothing there.”

She Feels Like She's Going Crazy

Cinnamon is a Christian but has some very creepy things happening to her. For instance, one night she went to bed very tired, but woke up abruptly and was wide awake. She saw a scary figure with glowing eyes and couldn’t move. Right after this happened, a girl in her ex-boyfriend’s family was murdered. She tried to talk to a friend about it, but her friend told her she was watching too much TV and needs to pray more. She also heard an audible voice that told her, “Get right with God!”

A Figure with Glowing Eyes

With the figure, I remember looking around in the room. It was dark, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the figure. I couldn’t pray. I feel ashamed to say that out loud. You know how when people are talking, you still have voices racing in your head. I was completely silent for the first time in my life. I was paralyzed and fixated on it. I remember once the light started coming out, it choked me.

To get to the heart of the matter, I asked Cinnamon some detailed questions:

Q: How are you doing now? Are you going to go to be afraid?
A: I’m a restless sleeper. I’m a very light sleeper because I’m afraid if I have a dream or something might happen when I go to bed. I’m afraid and I know I shouldn’t be.
Q: Do you live alone?
A: No, I live with my boyfriend and a roommate.
Q: So, you’re living with a guy?
A: Yes, two.
Q: Are you having sex with your boyfriend?
A: No.
Q: Do you sleep in the same bed?
A: No, we share the same house. He’s mainly working.
Q: So, he has his own bedroom?
A: Yes, he does. That might be part of a stronghold there.  This happened years before I met the guy I’m currently with now. We are planning on getting married and doing everything right by God.
Q: Is he a believer?
A: Yes, he definitely is a believer. He’s from Nigeria and they are really big on God and the gospel.
Q: When was the last time you had an attack like this?
A: About 3 years ago. I’m kind of sketchy about it. Sometimes, I sit down. I’ll feel really calm, and I’ll start praying. And I feel I hear voices that call my name, “Cinnamon!” And I look around and there’s nothing there. I feel like I’m going crazy. Is it like mental illness or what?

I would say this is spiritual warfare. It sounds like a spiritual attack from the evil one and his demonic followers. We need to clean your house out spiritually through prayer. And you need a plan of action when these things happen to you. Your Bible opens from verse to verse to verse and claim victory. Isaiah 53 would be outstanding.

Peer to Peer: Am I Going Crazy? Does This Happen to Other Christians?

Cinnamon wants to know if she’s going crazy and if this happens to other Christians. How can she deal with the figures and voices she’s hearing? Jesse, Michael, Kelsey, Melissa, Abbey, and David all called in to confirm to Cinnamon, she’s not going crazy, but it’s the devil attacking her. Each one of them also encouraged her on what to do about it.

It’s a Demonic Attack, The Devil Gets a Foothold Because of Sin – Jesse

Jesse – “Right now, I’m in a mental hospital. I’ve been here for 5 years this time. I got ahold of the book, The Bondage Breaker and that’s helped me immensely. I’ve got it right now in front of me. Some things it’s saying to me, is what the early church called demonic activity, we now understand to be mental illness. If I can, I’ll read just a little bit of it so you can get the gist. “Concerning the demonically disturbed Christian. This lady said, there’s no way his problem can be demonic. He’s a paranoid schizophrenic. And goes onto tell if primarily the devil and the secular psychology can’t figure it out, it’s because neither God nor the devil submit to their methods of investigation.” What I’ve learned from this is the devil gets a foothold in your life because of sin. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Put all your thoughts into subjection to the obedience of Christ.” What’s going on is a demonic attack.”

Work on Anything in Your Life that Goes Against God - Michael

Michael – “It sounds like something a friend of mine has gone through recently. He had an experience where’ll he’ll see a figure and have paralysis. I can’t speak for sure what the situation might be for you, but for him, he said there was some strong major sin in his life. He believes, after talking with a religious leader at his local church, that this sin is what brought in this demonic activity.

As he continues to go to God asking for forgiveness, it’s been getting better. So, I don’t know your situation, but if there is anything powerful, that’s against God, then if you work on that, maybe this will go away.”

Put Your Armor On, and Clean Your House Out– Kelsey

Kelsey – “I actually struggled from the same unfortunate fate. All I have to tell her is she’s at war. She has to get on her armor. She has to fight. I used to see shadows in the night and those types of things, and it scared me. It could be because of sin; it could be a number of things. God can answer that for her through deep prayer…spending time with Him every morning. In my opinion, she needs to go through her house and say, “Nothing evil is allowed in my house! In the name of Jesus Christ, GET OUT!” And it has to leave, it can’t stay, because darkness fears Jesus.

Since she’s at war, she can’t be afraid, because being afraid isn’t stopping it. I’m also afraid of sleeping. I don’t know why but he [the enemy] really penetrates in my dreams, and it scares me because I’m afraid these things are going to happen in my daily life.

I started to take Gaba, which is an anxiety medicine. It’s at food health stores, and it’s not a prescription or anything, and it helps. Take it in the morning and it helps calm you down. I also take Melatonin at night.

I have been tested. I’m not schizophrenic. I thought I was because I was seeing these shadow things, but I’m not. Yes, these things can call out to you, but there’s a voice that’s a smidge higher if you allow it. It’s God’s voice, focus in on that voice. Focus in on feeling overwhelmed with God’s love, joy, and happiness. Think about anything that is good and happy in your life.  Don’t be afraid, get your armor on, clean your house out, and He’ll clean out your heart.”

We Cannot Shack, God Only Honors Marriage– Melissa

Melissa – “My husband and I got saved when we were about 24, married at 24. Prior to that, I was going through some of the same things. I experienced the demonic activity in my home as well. There were 4 of them that held me down, and I couldn’t speak.

Well, I had gotten saved several times, going back and forth to the alter and it’s as if the Lord was saying, you are not going to play with me anymore and therefore the attack came in. So, for her to be claiming she’s a Christian, there’s a gap there somewhere where she’s not following through on what the Lord wants her to do. As the previous caller said, you have to clean your house out, but you have to get it in order first. So, that she’s living with the boyfriend, that has to cease. We cannot shack, God only honors marriage. So, move to another apartment. You can date but living together is not holy matrimony in the eyes of the Lord. Then go back and repent. Ask the Lord to forgive you and begin your walk over.

The demon that came after me, stopped immediately as I decided I was going to do and live as the Lord wanted. And things began to fall into place, I got married, had a child, and then we were elevated in ministry.”

Repeat to Yourself: “I’m a child of God.” - Abbey

Abbey – “I used to have horrible nightmares and I would wake up and be paralyzed, and when I looked up, a black thing would come at me and get closer and closer. I couldn’t yell. I couldn’t move. There was nothing I could do. I was terrified to go to sleep.

At 3:00 am I would go to other places, go stay with family because I was scared to sleep alone. Since then, I sleep with a Bible every day. I was listening to a lot of things I shouldn’t have been. I’ve changed my life quite a bit since then. The only thing that ever got it to stop and move away from me, I would repeat over and over again in my head, “I’m a child of God. I believe in God.

I’m going to heaven.” Then it would stop. Since then, it’s stopped. I have no type of mental illness or nothing like that. I think it was things I was doing in my life that I needed to change. The closer I’ve gotten to God, the better my life has been.”

Make Sure You are Right with God - David

David – “First and foremost, I’d like to encourage her, that she’s not going crazy. Hold onto what the word says in the book of Romans 8:37 "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

On top of that, if you are going to go into battle, read Ephesians 6:13-17. He gives you the armor to do the battle. He won’t send you into a war without giving you the tools.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Particularly use the helmet of salvation. He paid the price. You have the salvation, and He protects you with that. There’s also the shield of faith. Let your faith be your shield. The Bible says the shield of faith can distinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one.

He’s throwing his darts at you, but remember your faith, remember your salvation in Jesus Christ. Remember that He loves you, that He died for you, that He took the beating, so you don’t have to. You do need to clean your house out spiritually. You do need to search your own heart, not for anyone else, but you need to make sure you are right with God. I guarantee you He loves you. I guarantee you; God will give you victory in this if you will be willing to stand up and hold fast to what he has for you.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

The Bible says there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality in our lives. So, Melissa got it right when she said, Cinnamon and her boyfriend shouldn’t be living together. Even if she’s not having sex with him, she’s giving the appearance of it, and that’s enough to get a stronghold going. The question for Cinnamon is will she obey or not obey God. She says she’s willing to!

A Few Additional Things to Do:

• When you sense this is happening, put on praise music. Demons hate praise music! So, find really powerful music that lifts up and praise the Lord.
• Every time you sense an attack – surrender your life to Christ.

What advice would you say to Cinnamon?

If you have been in a similar situation and/or have some wisdom to share…we’d love to hear from you. 

Resources for help with Spiritual Warfare:
Blog: Do Not Be Dismayed, God is With Us
Blog: Building Faith, How Prayer Helps Heartbreak
Blog: God Wants to Hear from You, How to Pray
Blog: 10 Reasons to Wait for Sex Until Marriage
Podcast: EP 42: How to Avoid Sexual Temptation as a Christian?
Need to talk to someone? Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

How to Find a Counselor Who Gets You

If you've gotten to a place in your life where you need extra support to face an obstacle, deal with a painful situation, cope with grief, or better understand your mental health, you've probably considered getting counseling. 

Working with a counselor is a great way to learn about yourself, grow toward your goals, and mature emotionally. But sometimes, finding the right counselor has challenges of its own. It reminds me of a message we got recently:

"I've been wanting to talk to a counselor about my anxiety, but there is an overwhelming amount of options. How do I narrow down my search? How do I know if I've found the right person to work with me?"

If you're facing this dilemma as you think about choosing a counselor, I get it. 

It can be hard to narrow your options down to one choice.

After 25 years of counseling people on my radio show, Dawson McAllister Live,  I know a few things about connecting with people and pointing them toward healthy thinking. I’ve also referred many people on for long-term counseling and have been blessed to work with the best. Here are some qualities to look for that might be helpful during your search:

1. Special Expertise in Your Struggles

While all counselors receive similar training to become licensed to practice, there are many who have additional training and certifications around issues that need specialized support. 

If you're struggling with an eating disorder, for example, you can search for counselors who specialize in treating people in eating disorder recovery. Whereas, if you're trying to break free from substance abuse or other harmful addictive behaviors, it may be best to reach out to a recovery organization to see who they recommend. Does the counselor you're considering:

• Have experience working with clients who share your struggles?
• Have strong reviews?
• Focus on the treatment you want to receive?

If so, that makes them a strong contender to work with you.

2. Challenging Without Judging

No one wants to feel judged when they're in a counseling session. After all, you know you need support, and you want to make things better. So, no one should be making you feel ashamed or judged as they're working with you. But it's also important to work with a counselor that challenges you. 

It's tempting to work with someone just because they make you feel better, or because you walk out of the session convinced that you've got it right. But the truth is, you may need to be pushed to grow. And while that is a bit uncomfortable, the counselor who's the best fit for you will be able to challenge you without making you feel judged, called out, or attacked. Does the counselor you're considering:

• Make you feel like you can do better and be better?
• Have high expectations for your personal growth and life changes?
• Make plans with you for how to face challenges and obstacles on the way to your goals?

If so, they are likely to challenge you in a positive way, without making you feel overwhelmed or pushing you too hard.

3. Advice You Can Use

Have you ever gone to someone for advice, only to feel more frustrated or confused as a result? Maybe someone told you to "think about it differently" or "pick yourself up and keep going" but didn't show you how to actually do that. 

I know how frustrating that can be. Looking for a counselor who can give practical advice you can actually use to grow, change, and move forward is important. Does your prospective counselor:

• Help you understand why you feel the way you do?
• Show you how to work through difficult emotions in the moment with steps that are easy to remember?
• Give you things to try when you're not in a session to practice the skills you're working on developing? 

If so, they're giving you useful advice, and that can only help you in the long run.

4. Real Listening

Yes, all counselors have strong listening skills. It's necessary for them to take the time to listen in order to accurately understand what's going on.

But there will be some counselors you talk to who seem to especially understand and connect with you, while others don't seem to go much beyond the surface of how you're feeling. Does the counselor you're considering:

• Acknowledge how painful or frustrating the difficult situations you face are for you?
• Spend time making you feel like your emotions are valid and understandable?
• See the good in what you're doing?
• Focus on acknowledging how you're growing?

If you notice a sense of deep, empathic listening, and don't feel like they're only focused on what you need to change, that's a good indication you've found someone who is a good fit.

5. Hopeful Outlook

Sometimes, counselors and mental health professionals must focus on the difficult and painful things you’re going through. After all, you have to get a sense of what happened and how it affected you before you can work through it. 

But it's important that any counselor you work with doesn't make you feel stuck in "what's wrong" mode. Finding someone with a hopeful outlook is key because they can help you visualize things improving or changing in your life. Does the counselor you're considering:

• Seem hopeful about the future?
• Have a focus that is change and growth-oriented?
• Lift your spirits and generally make you feel better about yourself and your life?

If so, you should definitely consider working with them long-term.

6. Common Ground

As I’ve counseled people, I find it helpful when they really open up to me because we seem to have a common ground.  Maybe that means they're from the same area, or maybe they grew up with a similar background. Maybe it's important to you to find a counselor who shares your spiritual beliefs, or maybe you're looking to work with someone who is open to the fact that you're still trying to figure out what you believe about God. 

Finding common ground with your counselor, whether it's interests, personalities, or core values, is going to build trust. And trust makes it easier to open up. Does the counselor you hope to work with:

• Acknowledge what you have in common?
• Remind you of other people you respect and care about?
• Make you feel open to talking about God, or where you are on your spiritual journey?

If so, you can expect to go deep with them, which is always good when you're trying to make changes in your life.

I'm hopeful that these are some good signposts to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding a counselor to work with. But I know that it can still be intimidating, even if you've done the research and made a plan. 

If you need extra help, TheHopeLine is here for you. We offer mentoring from trained HopeCoaches who have experience helping people talk through what they're looking for in a counselor. And because we've partnered with many counselors and support organizations over the years, we can make some suggestions about where to go for the specialized support you need to face your specific challenges. 

It's understandable to feel unsure about which counselor to work with, but you don't have to do that work alone. We can help you feel more prepared and confident in making your choice. Talk to a HopeCoach today about what you're looking for in a counselor.

We're here to listen, and we hope to help you find a great fit for your needs.

Think you may have a mental illness, but not sure what to do? Read my blog about what you should do if you think you may have a mental illness.

A nationwide survey of high school students in the United States found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide. If you haven't thought about killing yourself, chances are you know someone who has. High school suicide is more common than most people realize. One study I read revealed that, within a typical high school classroom of 20 students, it is likely that three students have made a suicide attempt in the past year.

Think about that for a moment the next time you are in a classroom. Look around and realize that 3 people you see have felt overwhelmed and considered suicide as their only option out.

Jess has those very feelings: "I have considered suicide many times in my life. I am bipolar and when I get really depressed I want to kill myself. Life also becomes overwhelming with school and things going on at home."

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-34 year-olds in the U.S.

On Saturday and Sunday nights, my radio show Dawson McAllister Live went for two hours. Sometimes just after the show, I'd say to myself, "While the show was going on, some teenager or young adult across America died by suicide." I am deeply grateful that my show and TheHopeLine have saved thousands of people from killing themselves. Yet I am still haunted by the many we could not reach.

If our resources on suicide can help one person turn away from taking their life, it will all be worth it. Maybe it will be Jess, or the person who emailed me anonymously: "I struggle with suicide. I just need some help." Or maybe that someone is you.

Here Are 10 Depression and Suicide Statistics

1. Males take their own lives at nearly four times the rate of females and represent 77.9% of all suicides.

2. Females are more likely than males to have suicidal thoughts.

3. About 2/3 of people who complete suicide are depressed at the time of their deaths. Depression that is untreated, undiagnosed, or ineffectively treated is the number one cause of suicide.

4. People who have a dependence on alcohol or drugs in addition to being depressed are at greater risk for suicide.

5. Most suicidal people give definite warning signals of their suicidal intentions, but others are often unaware of the significance of these warnings or unsure of what to do about them.

6. Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

7. Talking about suicide does not cause someone to become suicidal. It actually helps to talk about suicide, and the feelings and thoughts behind it.

8. Surviving family members not only suffer the loss of a loved one to suicide, but are also at higher risk of suicide and emotional problems.

9. People who are depressed and exhibit the following symptoms are at particular risk for suicide:

• Extreme hopelessness
• A lack of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable
• Heightened anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Global insomnia
• Talk about suicide or a prior history of attempts/acts
• Irritability and agitation

10. Peer support plays an important role in the treatment of mental and substance use disorders and holds the potential for helping those at risk for suicide.

We Can All Help

As Roselyn wrote: We need to find ways among ourselves to prevent suicide from happening, not just leave it to experts or therapists. She is right. Experts are needed, but most people turn to their friends for help first. That's why I wrote this blog on how to help a suicidal friend.

References:
Center for Disease Control 2015 Report
World Health Organization GHO(Global Health Observatory)
TN Suicide Prevention Network Facts About Suicide
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP)

Making Connections Between Grief and Joy

Grieving is one of the most painful experiences we go through. Every experience of grief is different, because every relationship is different, and each loss affects every person in a unique way. But grief is universal, and so is the deep desire to move beyond the sadness of grief. Here's a message we recently received from someone who is grieving:

"I lost a friend of mine two years ago. It was unexpected, and I still haven't fully recovered. I cry almost every day, and I never seem to know when grief will hit me. I've tried talking to some friends about it. But they only make me feel worse. They say things like 'Everything happens for a reason', but there's no good reason I feel this way. I don't know if I will ever be happy again."

I can certainly relate to how this person feels, and how you're feeling now. Even though we aren't grieving the same loss, I know how frustrating it is to hear unhelpful advice when you're coping with the profound sorrow of losing a loved one. Loss like that is not reasonable or rational, and we won't make sense of much of the loss we experience, no matter how hard we try. I know it often feels like you will never stop feeling sad, but you can move forward and it’s ok if it takes time.

In some ways, we don't get over our grieving. What we lost can't come back into our lives, even though we wish things would go back to the way they used to be. So, it’s completely understandable that there may always be a feeling of sadness when you remember what you have lost. But grief is not a static feeling. It changes as we change. So, there will be times of deep sadness.

But as your grief shifts and changes, you'll find sadness mingles with joy, gratitude, and other "brighter" emotions. I know it sounds odd to hear that there are bright sides to grief, but there are ways to shift your outlook to a more hopeful and less despairing one as you learn and cope. 

Grieving is Part of Love 

Love is a joyful emotion, and it is tied to our grieving after a loss. I love the way author Anne Lamott describes the connection between grief and love, and how we can strike a balance between the many emotions we have when we grieve:

"You will lose someone you can't live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn't seal back up. And you come through. It's like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly - that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp." - Anne Lamott (Source: Wikipedia)

When you think about what you have lost, it allows you to still live with a memory of what you had when they were physically present. I always tell stories of beloved friends and family who have died, and when I do, it often brings a smile to my face. Not because I'm not also sad when I think of them, and certainly not because I forgot to think of them. I smile because I am constantly reminded how strong our bond remains even though they're gone, and that comforts me. Noticing how much I think of them is a reminder of how much we loved one another. My sadness doesn't go away, but it is no longer the only emotion I feel. Try thinking about your loved one and ask yourself some questions:

• What did you love most about them?
• What is a story about them that makes you laugh?
• What is something you see that reminds you of the things they enjoyed, hobbies they had, or times you shared?

In exploring these questions, pay attention to how your feelings change. As you practice this for a few minutes each day, you may start to notice your heart doesn't only feel heavy and sad. You may feel a sense of brightness and "lightness" that makes your feelings of sadness less overwhelming.

After losing someone, there have been times when I’ve laughed at a joke, appreciated a moment, or enjoyed a conversation with a friend, only to be hit by a sense of guilt afterward. I felt bad for feeling happy, as if being happy or enjoying something is a betrayal of the loved one, I lost. But the truth is, we're allowed to be happy when we grieve. Writer Julie Vick says this about feeling happy during a time of grief:

“I have found this practice of not pushing aside difficult moments but being open to both joy and pain at the same time a helpful thought process in many situations. When dealing with tough times, negative feelings can often be all-consuming, so I’ve started to look for whatever small shimmers of light I can find." (Source: Headspace) 

Here are a few ways you might find ‘shimmers of joy”:

• Going Outside: Is there somewhere peaceful or relaxing you can walk or sit to admire nature? Natural beauty is often a source of calm and tranquility, even when we're feeling sad. Sometimes we used to go to these places with loved ones. Sometimes not. Depending on how you’re feeling, you may want to sit where you used to sit with them. If that’s too much, find a new place to enjoy on the days you can’t bear to go to places that remind you too much of them.
• Making Art: Making art can be relaxing, it can be a great way to process difficult feelings, and it can remind you of activities, colors, and art forms you enjoy. Even if you’re not an artist or a musician, it can still be fun and helpful to distract yourself with something new for a little bit. You could even create something to honor your loved one that makes you feel more aware of your connection to them and keeps them present in your life.
• Cooking a Favorite Meal: Cooking or eating a favorite meal can be just the thing to make you feel better after a tough day of grieving. 

Don't Be Afraid to Talk About It 

It might seem like talking about what you lost would just make things more difficult but rediscovering hope and finding joy may come easier when talking to your loved ones about what you’re dealing with. Here are some suggestions for how to have these conversations:

• Find Friends You Can Talk To: If your friends have offered support during your grief or asked how they can help, find times to talk with them about your loved one. They don't have to be happy stories. Just start from where you are and get in the habit of expressing the many feelings you'll experience when you grieve. 
• Write Your Story: Writing about your grief is a great way to come to terms with a wide range of emotions. Think of it as telling a story. Whether you blog, keep a private journal, or share it in a support group, writing about your grief is telling a story about you, a story about what you lost, a story about your relationship, and a story about how you will continue to grow and learn as a result of having known the loved one you lost.  
• Think about what your loved one taught you: Mother Theresa once said, “Some people come into your life as blessings. Some come into your life as lessons.” There’s a lot of truth in that. Even if I don’t know what to make of the loss itself, thinking about what I’ve learned from friends and loved ones I’ve lost can help me feel gratitude for them. 

Remembering what we learn from others is also a good reminder that we were all created with a purpose, and that we can make loved ones we’ve lost a part of living that purpose by carrying their lessons through life with who we are.

• Nurture Your Spirit: It may seem like your loved one is “right there”, even though they have passed away. There may be moments when you have a feeling of comfort you can’t explain, or when you get a sense that someone or something is helping you through this really challenging time. There is a spiritual side to loss. Thinking about your spiritual beliefs is a way to better understand how your grief is affecting you. It can also be a way to feel more connected to your loved one. If you’re open to thinking of God as watching over both of you, you can try asking God for comfort and peace during a trying season of grief.
• Find a Mentor: It’s really important to remember that, even if there are days where grief feels less overwhelming, there will be other times when it will become seemingly unbearable. It may come out of nowhere, or it may result in new emotions you’ve never felt about the person or situation before. In times like these, it’s a good idea to reach out to someone with experience guiding people through the complex and surprising feelings that come with grief.

TheHopeLine is here for you, no matter where you are in the grieving process. Our HopeCoaches are trained to talk through grief without judgment, and to help you find hope in even the most difficult times. Healing during grief is possible, one day at a time. Talk to a mentor today about your grief recovery journey and get some support to help you face the days ahead. We are here for you. 

We also have a partner, GriefShare, who is a caring support group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.

How to Talk About Self-Harm Without Judgment

You’re close to your loved ones, and if you think something is wrong, it’s good to trust your instincts and talk to them about ways you can help.

If you’ve noticed marks on their body, that they try to cover up or ignore those marks, and that the marks continue to appear over time, you have good reason to be concerned that your loved one may be self-harming.

Talking to a loved one about cutting or other self-harm can feel scary and overwhelming, but there are ways to have this tough conversation clearly, calmly, and without judgment. 

Understand Why Your Loved One is Self-Harming

It’s helpful, before approaching your friend or family member, to better understand why self-harm happens. It’s an unhealthy way to cope with pain, trauma, or mental illness. Understanding the most common reasons for self-harm will help you feel more prepared. 
Here are a few of the most likely reasons behind your loved one’s self-harm:

• Desire to “release” pent-up pain
• Wanting to break through a feeling of being “numbed out”
• Need for a feeling of control over their lives
• Signaling for help when they don’t know how to ask for help in other ways

Your friend may also feel like they have to hurt or “punish themselves” due to the deep-rooted shame and guilt they feel. That’s why it’s important to focus on having this conversation from a place of care rather than criticism or judgment. 
Once you feel ready, here are some things to keep in mind when reaching out to your friend.

Choose a Time and Setting That Works for Both of You

There will be some discomfort no matter what, but having the conversation at a time, and in a place, where you both feel comfortable, and calm is key to it feeling less upsetting for both of you. If you’re not able to be together in person, try video calling, so you can still have a “face-to-face” chat. 

Set a time when you know your friend is not likely to already feel overwhelmed, stressed, or tired. And talk about things you would normally talk about before jumping right into the most difficult parts of the conversation.

Tell Them About Your Concerns

There’s not one right way to tell your friend that you’re concerned about their possible self-harm. Here are two ways that might work:

• “It seems like you’ve been hurting a lot lately, would you like to talk to me about it?”
• “I’ve noticed several marks on your arms and wrists. I care about you, so that worries me. Do you want to talk about it?”

If they acknowledge they self-harm, you can ask them why they get that urge, or what caused them to start, out of care for them and a desire for understanding. They may not want to talk about it right away, but it’s good to let them know you’re there to support them when they are ready to talk.

Offer Support

You are already supporting your loved one by reaching out and offering a listening ear. You are likely a reminder in their life of how much God loves them, and how there is always hope for healing and growth.

But it’s important to remember that you won’t be able to help them find healing after self-harm alone. See if it’s okay with them if you help them find more specialized support. There are lots of organizations with experience in guiding people through recovery from self-harm, led by people who care deeply and would be able to help your friend find the appropriate treatment. 

And make sure you have support yourself, so you can support your friend without feeling drained, exhausted, or overwhelmed. TheHopeline offers mentoring and other resources for people working their way through messy, painful conversations and issues. Talk to a Hope Coach today about your life, your loved one, and how you can get the help you need so you can be there for people you love. We are here for you, and we’ll get through this together.

We have a partner resource for you and your loved one called, Door of Hope.  They provide emotional support, guidance and resources for young adults who struggle with self-injury. You can call, text, or email a recovery coach to start breaking free from self-harm today!

I know it's tough. Your pain is real and sometimes suffocating.

So why say no to suicide?

What if there is a way for you to keep facing life? Are you willing to keep trying? I understand that there isn't anything simple about this, but if one of these ideas helps you find a reason to live, it's worth it.

https://youtu.be/CRlhM5pPIB4?si=gC7iPydBHsKC0bVH

Here are 4 reasons to keep working at LIFE:

1. Do you know for certain what the future holds? What if you miss out on something GREAT?

If you can work through your pain at this moment in time, you might very likely find that on the other side awaits a life full of great experiences and meaningful relationships that you can't even imagine right now.

Life is filled with the potential to get better, deeper, richer, and more fulfilling.

You may very well find meaningful work, and possibly get married and have children. You can begin now writing a really great legacy you'll leave behind—of a person who is a survivor, an overcomer.

Perhaps you are a high school student who is being bullied and doesn’t fit in. You feel alone, awkward, and depressed. Quite honestly, there are very few of us who get through high school feeling cool. It is one rare mix of personality, talents, and looks that finds high school a breeze. For most, it’s a challenge, and the overwhelming feelings many experiences are one of the main causes of high school suicide. But take courage. Remember that these circumstances, and these struggles, won't last. Once you are out of high school and maybe onto college, you will very likely find your people. People who “get” you. Don’t miss out on developing these cool friendships because high school sucks.

Or perhaps you’ve experienced something traumatic…abuse, rape, death, and it’s hard to pick up and go on. I’m sorry this has happened to you; I know it is hard. But I also know that suicide is preventable with support, and you can overcome your struggles to lead a fuller life. Just like Mariah - I shared her video on my Guest Blog. Click the link to check it out. She was bullied, raped, depressed and attempted suicide, but survived. She has since graduated from college, gotten married, and is loving life. What if her attempt had succeeded?

Be the bold one who fights through your pain and stands up to the challenges of life with grace, confidence, and joy.

2. Someone DOES care.

I know you may feel completely alone, but there are people to talk to. On this point, I feel I must challenge the wrong thought patterns of someone who is suicidal.  There IS someone who cares. You just might need to seek them out.

First of all, I care! I wouldn't have done the work I've done for the last 40 years if I didn't care. Second, ALL the staff at TheHopeLine care. Many of our Hope Coaches have experienced pain, too, and that's why they want to chat with you or, if they aren't available, sign up for an e-mail mentor. Get Help!! 

And there are many more places you can go where people will care. It's important for you to look for these places, so that you can talk about your pain. Walk into a local church and talk with a pastor. Or find a counseling center and talk with a counselor. There are many free counseling options if you look for them. And if you have family or if you are living at home. PLEASE talk to your parents.

John said it well:  Whatever the problem may be, just talking about it, can be the greatest help we can get. Just knowing that you aren't alone, and that it has, and can be overcome, is a wonderful reassurance. Just discuss your problems with someone you can trust. I guarantee you the results will speak louder than any gun ever will.

As you work through your struggles, write down your thoughts. Write down your hopes for the future and the people you value in life. Read these to remind yourself that life is important. Keep track of positive things other people say about you, and the good they see in you rather than the negative

3. You can help others and perhaps save someone's life.

There are people all around you who are struggling too. Sometimes taking our eyes off of ourselves for a little bit, allows us to see others who are in pain as well. Perhaps at this moment you need to work on your own healing, but in time, you could be that person that helps others. Perhaps someday you will be able to share your story of how you bravely fought your battle and lived to talk about it and use it to inspire others to hang on.

Brianna wrote:  I just want everyone to know that I have been there and life isn't easy, but death will only make everything more complicated. Everyone has rough patches in life but you just have to push through and soon enough you will come out the other side a new person and you will feel amazing.

One day you might need a helping hand, the next day, you can be the hand reaching down to help pick up someone else.

4. God loves you. I saved the best reason to keep living for last! I believe this reason applies to everyone. God made you and He has a great plan for your life whether you see it now or not. God never promised life wouldn't be hard, but He did promise He would be with you in whatever it is you're going through. It's never His desire that you kill yourself. Don't make yourself out to be the judge, jury, the accused, and the executioner.  It's God's decision when you live and die, not yours.

Mark wrote:  I used to be suicidal, and for the most part it comes right down to having hope and knowing you are loved. Hope is what will give you the strength to make it through until things get better.

What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?

God created you because He wanted you to live a rich and meaningful life. Even though life can seem unbearable at times, with God on your side, there is always a reason for hope. But we can’t do it alone. If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide, prayer can help you find a greater sense of peace and hope.

Don't Give Up

Please don't rob yourself of tomorrow, when tomorrow could be the greatest time of your life. Live today and give tomorrow a chance. If you do that every day, you will live a life of love, hope, and courage. Anyone can quit on life, but life was never designed to be quit on. So don't give up, no matter what! Don't give up!