Suicide rates are skyrocketing. So many people are depressed. How much more can you reach out to them? How do you KNOW when someone is hurting that much?! When if they hide it so well that you genuinely have no clue? How do you carry the guilt of not telling them about Christ enough or not at all if someone you know commits suicide? These are all things that people I love are contending with right now in this very moment. Way too many people and one just hit very close to home.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
If you are struggling with anything, you do not have to do it alone! There should be no shame in the struggle. Life is not perfect for anyone no matter how perfect mine or your friend's social media feed looks. Some of the people who appear to have it all together are the ones who need to unload or vent the most. They need a true friend that won't judge them. Reach out to your happy friends, too. We are to bear one another's burdens. So many people are carrying burdens and shame and too embarrassed to reach out to anyone about them. We are to bear one another's burdens.
In this social media driven world, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. What we're doing, where we are going, are we doing enough, do we have enough things, do we look happy enough? We are living our lives through filters in this crazy fake virtual world. We are constantly being shown the highlight reels of people's lives making us feel like ours isn't good enough. Remind yourself that you do not have to do what everyone else is doing! Being content has gotten a bad rap. Like something is wrong with you if you actually like having a simple, minimal life. The Bible actually has a lot to say about being content: Being Content
Let me just tell you the hardcore truth. Lots of people suck! There always have been and always will be people that suck. Try to find one or two that don't and hang on to those folks for dear life! But to go even further into the truth, even those one or two can and will hurt you at one point or another. If you are a child of God, you forgive just as our heavenly Father forgives us....even when people hurt us so bad it's unspeakable. Even for myself, that is hard to say. I have a hard time with it, too! But it's the truth. I will always try to speak the truth even when it's difficult.
I keep a frame on my desk that says this: "When your joy doesn't come from earthly things, your joy can never be taken away."
It's such a deep and powerful statement and I say it confidently in Christ! Because even the ones you love most will let you down. We are all fallible humans and the truth is, we've all hurt someone or been hurt by someone.
The things of this world will consistently disappoint you. But when your true, deep hope and joy does not come from things or people in this world, your hope and joy can never be taken. That doesn't mean every day is easy and you are bouncing from cloud to cloud in bliss. You still FEEL things. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 reminds me it's OK to FEEL.
Sometimes, we need alone time. We get so overwhelmed in this fast paced world.
If you are a giver, you have to set some limits. You can't pour from an empty cup. To be a blessing to others, you have to take time to take care of yourself, too. That is not selfish! Even Christ took much time to be by Himself to re-fill so that He could continue on about the Father's business.
Six Times Jesus Chose Solitude Over People
To prepare for a major task Luke 4:1-2, 14-15. After Jesus was baptized He spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this He was tempted by Satan and then began His public ministry.
To recharge after hard work Mark 6:30-32. Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to do ministry. When they returned He encouraged them to separate from the people who were following them to rest.
To work through grief Matthew 14:1-13. After Jesus learned that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded, He went away by Himself. Yes, even the Son of God grieves.
Before making an important decision Luke 6:12-13. Early in His ministry Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose his 12 disciples.
In a time of distress Luke 22:39-44. Hours before Jesus was arrested He went to the Mt. of Olives and went a short distance away from His disciples to pray. He was in great emotional agony knowing what he was about to face.
To focus on prayer Luke 5:16. Many times in Jesus’ ministry He spent time alone in prayer.
If you are feeling suicidal, know this. God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away (Job 1:21). Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it rejects God’s gift of life. No man or woman should presume to take God’s authority upon themselves to end his or her own life. “My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15) This will mean nothing to you if you do not have a healthy fear of God and His judgment.
According to the Bible, suicide is a sin. It is not the “greatest” sin—it is no worse than other evils, in terms of how God sees it, and it does not determine a person’s eternal destiny. This is a hotly debated topic among believers, but this is the stance I agree with the most...maybe because it's comforting? I suggest you take it to the Lord in prayer and get into the Word. To be frank, I wouldn't risk God's judgment. Do not take your own life. Please! Suicide definitely has a deep and lasting impact on those left behind. The painful scars left by a suicide do not heal easily. May God grant His grace to each one who is facing trials today (Psalm 67:1). And may each of us take hope in the promise, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
If you are considering suicide, please seek help now. Call 1-800-273-8255, the national hotline, get yourself to a hospital if you can, call 911, go alert someone in your home, apartment, or workplace, or wherever you are, and do whatever it takes to get help. If you need someone - a friend to just listen, email me and we can go from there! Sometimes people just need someone to LISTEN without judgment. Please also see the comment section below 🖤
Even in the darkest of times, we praise God. Nothing can take our praise.
In the spirit of heaviness put on the garment of praise! Isaiah 61:3
My playlist is below if you would like to listen to what I turn up in the spirit of heaviness!
I went from listening to very dark and angry music to listening to praise and worship. The transition began a few years ago. Funny story....it began with me overhearing a co-worker making fun of a Christian radio station and how cheesy the music sounded. I had no idea there was even Christian music on the radio. I asked her what the station was and started listening! Well, I'd like to thank her; because that simple act of changing what music I was feeding my soul changed everything. I do not say that lightly. I was curious about the lyrics I heard in this praise and worship music I was listening to and I began to dive into God's Word and there's no turning back! Your mind believes what you tell it. So feed it faith, truth, and love! Link to playlist :)
If someone tells you a song is important to them, you should turn it up and listen to it! Close your eyes and really listen. Even if it's long. At the end of it, you will know that person just a little bit better and maybe get a glimpse of what's inside their heart.
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
I see shattered You see whole I see broken But You see beautiful And You're helping me to believe You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty That You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean There's nothing too dirty That You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean
What was dead now lives again My heart's beating, beating inside my chest Oh I'm coming alive with joy and destiny 'Cause You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty That You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean There's nothing too dirty That You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice Your blood flowed red and made me white My dirty rags are purified I am clean Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice Your blood flowed red and made me white My dirty rags are purified I'm clean, I'm clean Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice Your blood flowed red and made me white My dirty rags are purified I'm clean I am clean I'm clean Oh You made me You wash me Clean Oh You made me clean
Some of my favorite quotes
(I don't have all the sources wrote down. Google them if you want to know.)
"I am the daughter of a King who is not moved by the world. For my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His."
"Beware of destination addiction. This is a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is always somewhere else. The next place, the next job, the next partner.... Until you give up the idea that happiness is "somewhere else", it will never be where you are." (Whoa!!!!)
"If they made a monster out of you because you walked away from their drama, so be it. Let them deal with what they have created. Be at peace and stay out of the conflict."
"You were not created to live depressed, guilty, condemned, ashamed, or unworthy. You were created to be victorious in Christ!"
"Don't forget it's okay to have a meltdown, just don't unpack and live there! Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed."
"You cannot make everyone think and feel as deeply as you do. This is a tragedy; because you understand them, but they do not understand you."
"The kindness you give is not always the same thing you get in return; sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less - even worse, sometimes you get none at all. Just remember, God tells us this, "The one who willingly gives is always more blessed than then one who receives."
"Do what you can. Where you are. With what you have."
"You've never gone too far that God can't redeem, restore, forgive you, and give you a second chance."
"The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where you water it."
"I am in competition with no one. I have no desire to be better than anyone. I am simply trying to be better than the person I was yesterday."
"There is no hope apart from Christ."
"It's not that my life is perfect. I just choose to dwell on my blessings and praise God for them! No matter how small!"
"Being told you are appreciated is one of the most uplifting things a person can hear." Tell someone today how much you appreciate them!
"If material things are what you're talking about when you say "I'm blessed", you have have no idea what a blessing is."
"If God shuts a door, quit banging on it! Trust that whatever is behind it is not meant for you."
"Don't get upset with people or situations; both are powerless without your reaction."
"Your greatest test is when you are able to bless someone else while you are going through your own storm."
"When you do not seek or need the approval of other people, there comes a peace with that!"
"Maturity: When someone hurts you, try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back."
"Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God."
"Don't get mad when people talk behind your back; they are behind you for a reason."
"Confidence is not walking into a room thinking you are better than everyone. It's walking into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone."
"Treat everyone with respect. Greet the janitor with the same respect you would great the CEO with."
"Overthinking: The art of creating problems that weren't even there."
"You can't change someone who doesn't see an issue with their actions."
"A few bad days do not make it a bad life. Get up. Keep moving forward." (To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3)
"You NEVER look good trying to make someone else look bad."
"Keep your mind active. Don't stay idle in your thoughts and overactive mind. Educate yourself. When something sparks your interest, read about it. Watch films and documentaries. Read. Read. Read. Study. Learn. Stimulate your brain! Educate that beautiful mind of yours."
"Confidence is not "I hope they like me." Confidence is "I'll be fine if they don't like me."
Integrity: Doing the right thing even when no one is looking.
"You are under no obligation to make sense to anyone."
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" James 4:7
"Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"Someone is watching your journey and being inspired by it. Do not quit."
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen to the intent to reply."
"Begin each day realizing that people will inconvenience you. They will sin against you, get in your way, and try your patience. Be ready with this knowledge beforehand and take it to the Lord. Let Him teach your heart how to respond to people and situations with patience and love so that He can use these opportunities to exhibit the Gospel rather than display a complaining, graceless, natural/carnal, irritated response of the flesh!"
"Fear is contagious. So is hope."
"A mistake that makes you humble is better than an achievement that makes you arrogant!"
A rule of mental health: "Learn to distinguish who deserves an explanation, who deserves only one answer, and who deserves absolutely nothing."
"On Christ the solid rock I stand, ALL other ground is sinking sand."
Jesus Heals a Man Let Down through the Roof of a House
17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Defeating Satan in Spiritual Warfare begins with exposing his lies. This video will reveal his great lie, will prepare you for victory in spiritual warfare, and will strengthen your walk in Christ’s holiness.
The Old Law. Why are there so many “rules” to be a Christian”? (There’s not, by the way.)