If You Are Struggling…

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, I want you to know:

I know things seem impossibly hard.

You are not alone.

There is help.

At the bottom of this page is a list of resources.

I hope you will contact one of them..

 

If you are not comfortable reaching out to them, that’s okay.

You can reach out to me.

I’m here.

I’m listening.

Reach out.

To me, to a friend, to a religious leader.

I know there seems no way, but God has a plan. We just haven’t seen it yet.

Hang around so we can find that plan together.

You’ve got this.

I believe in you.

 

I hope you will use one of the resources below and reach out to them.

 

Call or text 988. Volunteers are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are waiting to hear from you. Available in English or Spanish.

They also have a website where you can chat. The website also has resources for deaf/hard of hearing people.

Their website is 988 Lifeline

 

Military members and veterans have unique struggles. A hotline has been set up for anyone with military experience, active, reserve, or retired. Call 988 then press 1. You can also text 838255 to contact someone who understands. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can find out more or chat with someone by visiting their website, called, Veterans Crisis Line

This resource is open to all branches of the military, including Coast Guard and Space Force.

 

Another good resource is the Crisis Textline. Text them at 741741 or visit their website, You can reach out to them anytime day or night by clicking here…. Crisis Textline. They also have resources for anxiety, bullying, depression, grief, and other needs.

 

The Trevor Project provides text, chat, and phone call support to those who identify as LGBTQ+. They can be found here – The Trevor Project They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Whichever resource you choose, I hope you will reach out to someone and get the support you need and remember:

God loves you and so do I.

.

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

 

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

 

 

 

Category: Addiction, Family, God, Life | LEAVE A COMMENT

A Woman Died

A woman I know died this week.

Though she was a few years younger than me, she looked my mother’s age.

 

She used to come into the food pantry I served.

I’d tried talking to her a time or two – but she didn’t seem to want to interact.

 

I saw the signs – haunted, darting eyes, gaunt face.

I recognized the smell on her clothes and the sores on her face.

 

She was a meth addict.

 

She was also someone’s mother; someone’s daughter.

 

She was caught up in a hell of her own making.

 

For whatever reason, she never broke free.

 

Now, she’s dead – a victim of her own bad choices.

 

As much as I hated her bad habit, I can’t point a finger.

Continue reading

Category: Addiction, Death, God, Trust | LEAVE A COMMENT

I’m Struggling

Today I am struggling.

I’m sitting here at my desk at work, silently crying out to God for a miracle.

This morning my sister called to tell me our stepbrother is in the hospital.

Late last night the doctors told the family there’s not much hope. His time is up.

I’m struggling because I’m angry, I’m hurt, and I’m grief-stricken.

Matt is a great guy. Beautiful smile. Great sense of humor.

Matt knows how to charm you so you think he’s your biggest fan in the world and that you are the most important person he’s ever met.

Matt is a heroin addict.

I don’t believe in luck, but if I did, I’d say his has run out.

He’s been making questionable choices for over 2 decades.

Hard, painful choices the family has struggled to watch. We’ve paid a price for his actions, too. Big ones.

Now it is all coming to an end.

I grieve because I see how different his life could have been. The lost chances. The wasted potential.

I want to reach out into time and change things. Adjust his past. Fix it somehow.

But, I can’t.

I’m angry because the drugs have stolen away the life of someone I care about. Someone I love who is so caught up in his addiction all he can see is the need for his next fix.

I’m grieved, too, because while several of us have talked to him several times, he has made it clear he has no need for God and that he is god of his own life.

How I wish I could have made him see the errors of his ways.

I know the only thing I can do now is pray. It’s the least I can do, but it’s also the most I can do.

So I pray.

I pray God will have mercy on Matt.

I pray Matt’s life will be a warning to others about the dangers of drug use.

I pray God will comfort all of us he’s leaving behind.

I know that this is not going to end well.

Matt is going to die.

At that moment, Matt is going to step into eternity to face a loving God.

A God who has given us all the chance to be reconciled to Him through His son, Jesus.

A Son who poured out His life for us so we could be saved and safe when we step into eternity – IF we choose to accept Him as that Savior.

I have no way of knowing what kind of conversations God and Matt have had over the last few days. I hope they are the ones that make the eternal difference for Matt’s future and that he somehow manages to get his life right with God.

Whatever the answer, I know that God loves all of us very much. He is long-suffering toward us and it is not His will that any of us perish.

But, He is also a just God who will cause us to pay the price for our sins if we don’t allow Christ to wash them away with the blood of His sacrificed life. We can only do that by calling on Jesus to save us, trusting in His gift of eternal life.

I might not be able to lead Matt to Christ. I may never know whether he got things right.

But, I can witness to others. I can be more committed to telling them how much God loves them.

I can continue to fight the good fight of faith as I seek to share God’s love with others.

And, I can pray for Matt until the very last moment.

God answers prayers.  Even when we don’t see or know it.

 

*If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is help. Below are several resources. You can also talk to a trusted relative, religious leader, medical professional, or friend. Whatever you choose, please reach out.

Addiction Resource or call their hotline at 888-459-5511. They cover all 50 States.

The Recovery Village This link also includes information for family members of those struggling.

 

 

 

 

Category: Addiction, Death, Family | LEAVE A COMMENT