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
© 2018 Christine Lombard; All rights reserved; Use only
with permission
