Lessons Learned About Suicide

1.     The Struggle is Real.  The struggle against the negative emotions of depression, condemnation, shame, worthlessness and hopelessness, along with the resulting desire to die and escape the reality of seemingly unbearable and inescapable pain is not just some powerless thought that can be ignored or wished away.  It is not a struggle that merits a “JUST GET OVER IT” response, because it cannot just be “gotten over” without true practical solutions and healing.  This includes the insufficiency of "GET OVER IT" counseling or advice re-branded as promises to "pray for you", religious cliches or Bible verses.  Rather, there is only ONE WAY to survive and thrive the very real struggle against suicide and that is to go THROUGH IT on one’s personal JOURNEY to HEALING and WHOLENESS.  I can say with verifiable assurance from my own personal experience to all…  THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SUICIDE IS REAL, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME.

2.     Suicide is a fruit, not a root issue.  The struggle against suicide is connected to beliefs, emotions and thoughts that have a SOURCE, called a ROOT.  The resulting negative emotions and thoughts about dying and suicide are the FRUIT of that ROOT.  The ROOT often spreads deep and wide into many directions through an interconnected web of pieces just like the natural root of a tree.  The ROOT is not always the same from person to person, but it may include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual factors.  As a result, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS include, but are not limited to consulting a medical doctor and/or psychologist, change of diet, increased quality sleep and rest, natural supplements, prescribed medication, spiritual counsel, prayer, meditation and personal transformation of beliefs and thought processes.  Most importantly, it is imperative to seek out help from those who are best equipped to help you.  Sometimes, those closes to a person, such as family and friends, though well meaning, are not equipped to help in one’s process to healing and wholeness.  Unfortunately, toxic relationships with those we sincerely love and value most may be a significant part of the ROOT of the struggle and issue.    

3.     You are NOT alone.  One of the biggest misconceptions and deterrents to healing and wholeness is the belief that we are all alone in our struggle.  Yes, it is true that no one else has ever “walked in our shoes” or experienced the EXACT circumstances that have led to our unique pain and struggles.  Yet, PAIN and STRUGGLE is a part of the human experience, and truthfully people all around us can actually relate and empathize with our struggles and pain more than we may ever realize.  And regardless of our faith, belief system and level of awareness of the presence of God all around us, it is a FACT that we are CREATED in His likeness and image.  The Lord’s DNA (Dynamic Divine Nature of Abba) flows through us, and we are SEVERELY LOVED by Him.  We only need to become more AWARE of His presence and love in order to experience the resulting divine encounter, healing and wholeness.

4.     There is HOPE.  Another HUGE misconception and deterrent to healing and wholeness is the negative web of beliefs that result in a sense of hopelessness.  How can I say this?  Because “living in our feelings”, especially the negative ones that are a part of the real struggle against suicide represent the choice of death, not life.  As I expressed in a recent poem, "If I Live in My Feelings", we must choose to live in our healings, not our feelings.  The VICTORY to OVERCOME the very real struggle against suicide largely depends of THIS ONE MAJOR CHOICE… to live in our healings, not our feelings.  In other words, it means to PURSUE life, truth and wholeness, rather than death, deception and brokenness.  How do we do this?  ONE THOUGHT, ONE CHOICE and ONE DECISION AT A TIME.  Yes, the struggle against depression and suicide is REAL, and it’s NOT easy, but IT IS VERY POSSIBLE and ACHIEVABLE TO OVERCOME.  So, let us choose to LIVE and NOT DIE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION OR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS REACH OUT FOR HELP! 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

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