Have you ever wondered where God is when you call on Him in the midst of your trial? Scripture promises that He is near to those who call upon His Name. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re going through; He is your deliverer. He’ll bring light into your darkest hour; He’ll bring rain into the dry places; He’ll bring restoration and healing to the broken places. Hallelujah!
When you call on His Name, you can be assured that He will respond. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will faithfully respond when you seek Him.
Today, you may think you have to clean up or change your behaviour or habits before you can turn to God, or before He will respond to you, but that’s not what God says. He is ready to receive you just as you are. Even if you feel like a mess, He’ll take your mess and turn it into a message. God’s arms are open wide right now. Open your heart and call upon Him. Draw close to Him and His goodness.
“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for always receiving me with open arms. Father, I love You and choose to give You all that I am. God, I choose to press on that I may know You better. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
Have you ever wondered where God is when you call on Him in the midst of your trial? Scripture promises that He is near to those who call upon His Name. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re going through; He is your deliverer. He’ll bring light into your darkest hour; He’ll bring rain into the dry places; He’ll bring restoration and healing to the broken places. Hallelujah!
When you call on His Name, you can be assured that He will respond. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will faithfully respond when you seek Him.
Today, you may think you have to clean up or change your behaviour or habits before you can turn to God, or before He will respond to you, but that’s not what God says. He is ready to receive you just as you are. Even if you feel like a mess, He’ll take your mess and turn it into a message. God’s arms are open wide right now. Open your heart and call upon Him. Draw close to Him and His goodness.
“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for always receiving me with open arms. Father, I love You and choose to give You all that I am. God, I choose to press on that I may know You better. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
With so much negativity around us, it’s easy to speak negative words of complaint and frustration. What words are you speaking? Hopefully pleasant words. In other words, are you looking for good and kind things to say about yourself and others?
Scripture says in the book of Proverbs that, “pleasant words are healing to the body.” Positive, pleasant and powerful words can bring healing physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When you speak words of life and encouragement, it’s like medicine for your healing and the healing of others.
Today and every day, choose your words carefully and intentionally. Speak good uplifting and pleasant words. Resist negativity and complaining, and reap the sweet honey of healing for mind, soul and body that God has prepared for you!
“Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.”
(Proverbs 16:24, AMP)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which is sweeter than honey and sets me free. Father, I choose to speak pleasant words of life to others. Teach me how, so I can experience the peaceful life and healing You have promised me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
One of my biggest pet peeves is the lack of praise for God amongst believers. We were created to praise God. Praise is powerful! Praise is putting your faith in action. Just as putting your physical body into action to make it grow strong, putting your faith in action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause it to grow strong too!
The Bible says about Abraham: no unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. What does it mean to waver? It actually means to go back and forth. It’s a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Wavering shows up in our words and actions. When you speak contrary to God’s promises, you are wavering and unsteady. Abraham never had unbelief or doubting thoughts. It basically says that he didn’t let it control him or cause him to waver in his words, actions and thinking. He took captive every thought and stood strong through His praise and worship!
Today, take captive your thoughts through praise to God. Praise makes you stable. It makes you strong. Decide today to put your faith into action by thanking and praising God all throughout the day! As you do, you’ll grow strong and live the life of victory God has in store for you!
“No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.” (Romans 4:20, AMP)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I bless Your name and lift You up! Father, thank You for life. I thank You for breath. I thank You for provision, healing, strength and joy. God, I praise You for abundantly supplying all my needs so that I can be a blessing to others, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
We all have a mission given to us by God, just like Christ once He arrived on earth, He was on a mission. Not only did He come to die to save us from our sins, He had a mission to set people free from every kind of brokenness and oppression. He was anointed, and empowered by God to fulfil His mission. He didn’t go around doing good to some people. No, He went around doing good to all. That was His mission, and Christ is still fulfilling that mission on earth today.
When you accept Christ as your Saviour, the Bible says that you become an ambassador of His. That means you represent Him. As His representative, you have access to the same power and authority that He has. You are empowered to fulfil His mission on the earth. You are anointed to do good and heal those who are oppressed by the enemy.
Today, is there someone in your life who needs a touch from God? You are His hands and feet on the earth. You are anointed to do great things. You are anointed to pray and heal the sick. As you reach out to others and allow God to use you, you will see His power and anointing flow through you, and you will be empowered as you empower others. You are anointed!
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38, NASB
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for choosing me and anointing me. Father, thank You for doing good in my life and setting me free! Please show me my mission, and make me an instrument of Your goodness and healing to those around me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Happy 2021. 2020 has been full of hurt and disappointment for many. We’ve all been burnt by life, some have lost loved ones, relationships and jobs. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes in order to receive the beauty. You can’t have both, because the old has to go before the new can reach fulfilment.
As I look back over last year, I’m thankful to God for hundreds of new subscribers to the Ray of Hope devotion. I’m thanking God for lockdown virtual revivals in London, Wolverhampton, Harlow Essex, Kenya, Toronto Canada, Trinidad and many others, where hundreds gave their hearts to God despite the pandemic. I’m thankful for the Ray of Hope radio show each Sunday, and the listenership has grown tremendously. Ray of Hope ministries and God Interest want to thank you for your prayers, donations and continued support, and to ask you to continue to bless our ministry throughout 2021. We would love you to encourage your friends and family to also subscribe for their daily blessing.
Today, let’s move forward, not focusing on yesterday’s blessings, but reaching forward with hope and purpose, as we tackle the projects and challenges this year will bring. Are you willing to trust God with your future? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward in freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes. The year 2020 is over, but your future remains. Let God give you joy instead of mourning, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your life in 2021.
…he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3, TLB)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for promising to sweep away the ashes of my past and give me something beautiful in their place. Father, thanks for blessing Ray of Hope ministries, God Interest and it’s subscribers, to reach so many for the kingdom in 2020. Almighty God, I choose to give You my 2021 for more ministry endeavours as you give me clear vision. I receive Your healing and restoration in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
In today’s verse, David was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in life is from God. That job, good break, healing, or new opportunity – that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.
There’s an old gospel song that says, “Look What The Lord Has Done.” The song just brags on God. It’s a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favour increases on us.
Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness, and watch what God will do on your behalf!
“The LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Father, thank You for blessing me; thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. God, I brag on You because You are good, and worthy of all praise, in Christ’ name! Amen.
Four of my friends and I had the privilege of seeing “Healed” an awesome play by Mark Grey, a Christian director. In reflection this sprang to mind, relationships are so important in the eyes of God. As His children, He desires that we live in unity and stay connected with one another. When we are transparent and pray for each other, something supernatural takes place. We open the door for God to pour out His abundant blessing and healing in our lives.
Remember, when we walk in love, forgiveness and unity, our prayers become more effective, and His power is released through us.
Living in peace and unity doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone around you all the time. It means you look for honest common ground. It means you reach out to others in truth despite how you feel; you pray for them and help meet their needs.
Today, one way to be healed is to put the needs of others first, God will make sure our own needs are abundantly supplied. When we live with a servant’s heart toward others, it opens the door for God’s complete healing–physically, spiritually and emotionally. Give and it will come back to you!
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for revealing the truth to my heart so I can be healed. Father, I desire and beg for total healing in my relationships and in my personal life – mentally, physically and spiritually. God, I choose Your ways above my own, and ask that You open opportunities for me to pray for others, and open the door to Your healing power throughout my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.
Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need–physically, spiritually or emotionally? God wants to give you provision. God desires for you to live in victory in every area of your life.
The Scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! No matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror, and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Today’s verse starts by saying, “Thanks be to God.” In the Bible, when God’s people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshippers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life.
Today, start by thanking Him for His goodness. Magnify your God; don’t magnify your problems. Give Him thanks and make way for victory!
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, AMP)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, today I say thank You for Your mercy and faithfulness. Father, thank You for always leading and guiding me into victory! God, I receive my victory right now for this trial I’m going through. I celebrate and magnify You and bless Your holy name for my total deliverance, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
This week I have felt the wrath of someone’s tongue, as well as wise words spoken to encourage and uplift. It’s easy to use words as a weapon. We’ve all either been “cut” by the words of others, or we’ve used words to put someone “in their place.” The truth of the matter is that when we use words recklessly, we are not being wise.
Scripture tells us that the tongue of the wise brings life and healing to others. Throughout your day, look for ways to be wise with your words. Find something nice to say about someone. Share an encouraging word. Let your words bring healing to those around you. You can change a person’s life by sharing a kind word, a gracious word, a wise word.
Today, choose wise words that build up and not tear down, remember words are like seeds. When you plant words of life and blessing into others, you will reap a harvest of blessing in your own life in return. But when you use words to cut, cuss and tear down, you will reap that harvest. Be wise today and bring healing!
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your wise healing Word. Father, I choose to follow Your lead and be wise. I submit my tongue to You, and commit to use it for good and not for evil. God, show me ways to be a blessing to others. Help me find creative ways to encourage the people You have placed in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Did you know God wants to do His work on earth through you? You are His ambassador or representative. You have been given His authority and power to act on His behalf. It’s easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realise that you are equipped to be somebody else’s miracle?
The Scripture tells us we are Christ’s ambassador. Daily, we have opportunities to show God’s love and compassion to others. We can meet needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement. Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an everlasting harvest. Hallelujah!
Today, don’t overlook the ways to be a blessing to someone else. When you step out and pour God’s love, joy and peace into others, He will make sure that others pour into you. Let’s continue to work together to bring Him glory and build His eternal kingdom!
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for choosing me and using me as Your ambassador. Father, I fully surrender every area of my life to You. God, show me ways to be a miracle to others, through the love and compassion You have given me, so that my life will bring You glory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
A man called Aranda approached the little boy’s mom at a group at the mall on the 12 of April 2019. Landen mom asked him if they were in his way and should move. Without hesitation or warning the stranger picked up Landen and threw him from the balcony at the Mall of America.
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time 24-year-old has committed crimes at the mall. Aranda has two prior assault convictions from 2015 and was apparently banned from the the Mall of America for a period of time. He was also instructed to undergo psychological evaluation following those earlier attacks.
Later that day Aranda admitted to throwing the boy off the balcony to Police after they captured on a light rail train leaving the mall. He also told the police that he had attempted to kill somebody the day before (preferably an adult), but it didn’t “work out.”
He is being held in Hennepin County Jail in lieu of $2million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 14.
The suspect’s uncle, Francis Aranda, told KSTP that his nephew had displayed violent tendencies since childhood.
‘He has a serious mental problem, he was diagnosed as a child,’ the relative said.
He added: ‘We are going to pray for that baby [Landen] because what happened is so unfortunate, but it’s going to bring light to mental illness, I hope he [Aranda] doesn’t go to jail, he needs help.’
Pastor Mac Hammond (above) at the church Landen Hoffmann’s family attends in Woodbury, Minnesota, updated the congregation on the five-year-old’s condition on Sunday, nine days after he was thrown off a third-story balcony at the Mall of America on April 12
In spite of being thrown off a balcony that could have killed him, doctors have reported that Landen is thankfully doing much better than expected to the point where even the medical staff are chalking it up to nothing but a “miracle.”
This is truly a miracle. It’s like he fell off a bicycle instead of off the third floor of the mall.”
Mac Hammon, the pastor of the family’s church, was contacted by Landen’s grandpa on Sunday during the Easter sermon.
The results were obtained after a 5-hour MRI. “Doctors said they found no brain damage – not even any swelling,” Hammond told church congregants on Easter. “No spinal damage, no nerve damage ”¦ doctors are saying it is truly a miracle.”
Mac Hammon, shared that the boy did suffer many broken bones, including fractures on his arm, leg, and face. He will also need to have his spleen removed.
The GoFundMe page set up for Landen posted this encouraging update a week after the incident:
“The power of prayer is simply amazing. We all have been extremely humbled by the outpouring of support and prayers from everyone. Thank you for showing us there is so much good not only in our community but across the globe. Condition is again similar to previous days, another peaceful night of sleep — small steps towards the healing process. Each new day is a good day. Landen’s recovery is expected to be ongoing for a long time, while it’s hard to estimate costs, this will change everything for their family and require much of their time and focus.”
Over 27,000 people have donated to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $961,000 as of Tuesday morning.
Mental Health Facts, Stats, and Data
Over 44 million American adults have a mental health condition. Since the release of the first State of Mental Health in America report (2015), there has only been a slight decrease in the number of adults who have a mental health condition (from 18.19% to 18.07%)
Rate of youth experiencing a mental health condition continues to rise. Therate of youth with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93% to 12.63%. There was only a 1.5% decrease in the rate of youth with MDE who did receive treatment. Data showed that 62% of youth with MDE received no treatment.
More Americans are insured and accessing care. We can continue to see the effects of healthcare reform on the rate of Adults who are uninsured. This year there was a 2.5% reduction in the number of Adults with a mental health condition who were uninsured.
…But many Americans experiencing a mental health condition still report having an unmet need. 1 in 5, or 9 million adults reported having an unmet need.
Mental health workforce shortage remains. Many states saw some improvement in their individual to mental health provider ratio. But in states with the lowest workforce there was almost 4 times the number individuals to only 1 mental health provider.
As the weekend approaches and you head to your place of worship what will you wear? What about today, what attitude are you wearing? More than your clothes, what’s covering your mind and emotions? Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing “heaviness?”
Have you gone through a hurtful or disappointing situation? There is a season to grieve a loss. It’s important to go through that process and release the hurt to God. The Bible says God wants to change your mental and spiritual attire and give you a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair. He wants to exchange your hurt for His healing. He wants to fill you with His peace and joy.
Today, are the garments of yesterday holding you back and weighing you down? Maybe it’s time to exchange that heaviness for His garment of praise. Maybe it’s time to release those heavy burdens. Maybe it’s time to forgive those who have hurt you, and begin to praise your way to victory. When you wear a garment of praise, you’ll stand strong and display His splendour all the days of your life!
“…Provide for those who grieve”¦a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, I come to You with an open and humble heart. Father, I ask that You take my garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. God, take my hurt and give me your healing, give me a garment of praise today and have Your way in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.
World Leprosy Day: Gospel for Asia-supported workers’ hands-on care for sufferers brings practical help and spiritual hope to those still marginalized by long-feared disease. WILLS POINT, Texas – Gospel for Asia (GFA) is spotlighting its efforts to bridge the historic social gulf caused by the disfiguring disease that leaves sufferers disadvantaged and often despised–one outstretched arm at a time. As Gospel for Asia-supported workers prepare a series of events offering hands-on care to sufferers across Asia, to mark World Leprosy Day, Sunday, Jan. 27, the organization is also publishing a special report on worldwide efforts to eradicate the disease.
A GFA-supported pastor helps a leprosy patient as part of the Reaching Friends Ministry caring for those afflicted by the stigmatizing disease.
The latest in an in-depth series of GFA reports addressing key global issues, “Leprosy: Misunderstandings and Stigma Keep it Alive” examines how leprosy continues to see those infected shunned despite breakthroughs in treatment, and the fact that most people are naturally immune to the disease.
Though there have been significant medical advances, more than 210,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2016–the majority of them in India. Millions more around the world are suspected to be infected but are not yet symptomatic because the disease’s incubation period is so long.
While doctors and scientists continue to work on prevention and treatment, GFA-supported workers are providing practical and emotional help to those affected. Often losing fingers and toes because leprosy’s nerve damage means they are unaware of infection and injury, many sufferers are left physically unable to work, or as a result of being shunned.
Through associated local churches and members of its Sisters of Compassion ministry, specially trained women missionaries, GFA helps provide practical care, from cooking and cleaning to bathing and dressing wounds. As well as providing physical help, these healing touches also seek to tend to emotional wounds by demonstrating to leprosy sufferers that they have not been rejected.
“When we were completely lost and dejected, Christ came to us and lived among us,” said GFA founder Dr. KP Yohannan.
“By serving these precious people who happen to be afflicted with leprosy, we are not doing anything extraordinary or special. We are simply extending the love that was first given to us.”
GFA’s ministry also endeavors to release patients from the guilt many carry because, the report notes, over the centuries many have believed the disease is the result of some great sin of theirs.
“Eliminating discrimination and false conceptions of leprosy is key to eliminating the disease itself,” the reports adds. All too frequent are “the stories of men and women abandoned by their spouses, in-laws, or even kicked out of their homes by their children.”
The World Leprosy Day outreaches are being arranged in addition to GFA’s ongoing ministry to care for patients. GFA-supported workers have reached thousands of leprosy patients since the Reaching Friends Ministry, as it is called, began in 2007. They visit some of the isolated colonies in which many patients are forced to live, often cut off from the rest of the world.
“We thought we would name the ministry differently, where they won’t have to remember their sickness or feel the stigma of it,” said Tarik, the pastor who helped launched the initiative.
“We thought, ‘Let us call them “friends” because they have been created in the image of God, like us. It is only the sickness that keeps them different, but let us not make that a barrier. Let us accept them as friends.’ “
Among the Sisters of Compassion reaching out is Sakshi, a former leprosy sufferer whose story is shared in the report: at one time she considered suicide because of her despair. Receiving treatment and care, and coming to faith through Reaching Friends Ministry, she now offers help and hope to others.
“Nobody wants to love them, hug them or to come near to them to dress them,” said Sakshi. “They have so many inner pains in their heart, because they also are human beings. They also need love, care and encouragement from other people.”
Observed internationally each year on the last Sunday in January, to raise public awareness of the disease, World Leprosy Day is marked on Jan 30 in India, to commemorate the death of leader Mahatma Gandhi, who championed concern and care for sufferers.
To read more news on World Leprosy Day on Missions Box, go here.
Gospel for Asia (GFA, www.gfa.org) and its worldwide affiliates have–for almost 40 years–provided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News. Last year, this included more than 70,000 children, free medical services in over 1,200 villages and remote communities, 4,600 wells drilled, 11,000 water filters installed, Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.
Luke 7:18-23 ‘And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Are you he that should come? or should we look for another?
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto you, saying, Are you he that should come? or should we look for another?
And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me’
John had spent weeks even months in a dark dungeon with little company except rats so it is easy to see how he could have begun to question himself and indeed the messiah he baptised in the river Jordan proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God
When we take our eyes of Christ fear and doubt eat away at childlike faith and rob us of the truth that set us free. Without his presence we see walls instead of open doors, we see problems instead of answers and hopelessness instead of hope
God can only keep us in perfect peace as we keep our minds firmly fixed on him
What do you see when you look at Christ? Do you see a crucified saviour or an empty cross, a vacated tomb and a risen saviour who has given you victory over death and hell?
Do you see your sin or do you see a Saviour?
Do you see the sin that so easily overcomes you or do you see Jesus who became sin with your sin so that you would be the righteousness of God in him? Have you not heard that he is faithful and just to forgive you all your sins and to cleanse you of every sin as you repent and turn from them?
Do you see sickness and disease destroying your body, robbing you of strength or do you see Jesus who took your infirmities and carried your sicknesses and by whose stripes you are already healed?
Do you see yourself struggling with debt, drowning in poverty, hear a bank managers abusive remarks or do you see Jesus who became poor with your poverty that you would become rich with his riches?
Do you see an empty purse or a cruse of oil that will never run out? 1st Kings 17:14-16
Do you see yourself living a pauper’s life or do you see the Lord who has promised to provide all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus? Philippians 4:19
Do you see the devil when temptation overtakes you or do you see your saviour Jesus who always makes a way of escape when you ask him so that you may be able to bear it?
Do you see fear and defeat robbing you when unbelief sets in or do you see Jesus who always causes you to triumph? Have you not heard that God did not give you a spirit of fear but of love and power and of a sound mind?
Do you see no way out of captivity and misery or do you see Jesus who releases the captives and who is your joy and your strength?
Do you see your many afflictions, or do you see Jesus who delivers you out of them all?
Do you see death when you have lost someone you love or do you see Jesus the resurrection and the life
Do you dwell on the loss of a loved one or on the gain that Christ purchased for them for in Him ‘death has no sting and the grave no victory’ for from the moment we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord? In Christ they are risen indeed
Do you spend your days in sorrow or do you see that while weeping lasts for a night joy comes in the morning?
Do you look at the darkness which can so easily overtake you, or do you turn your eyes toward heaven and see his glorious light; his life, his hope, his peace which will cause you to laugh in the face of adversity.
In Christ there is endless joy, hope that springs eternal, health that springs forth speedily and victory that is yours always”¦
Open your eyes and fix them on the Crucified saviour now risen for your sake
Dark days vanish when Christ comes, all things change when Jesus comes to stay
I wanted to share a short version of my story from the perspective of a survivor of someone that has been directly affected by suicide. Recent news has broken my heart in a way that has made me realize that even the happiest faces can hide grotesque feelings of inadequacy. There is hope. Reach out- no matter what.
My Story
When I was 17, I received a phone call that forever altered the history of my life.
My dad had taken his own life.
As a result of this tragedy, I have limited memory. I have not been diagnosed with PTSD, but I can bet that it would be applied to my medical chart if I sought a diagnosis. I push out moments of time through perverted coping skills that I acquired from years of learning to deal with undefined emotions on my own. Just ask my husband how long it took me to finally remember the date of our anniversary. Six years.
There are other underlying issue that I dealt with for years after the news that my father had committed suicide.
As time passed, I started thinking about my two older brothers and how this event affected them. I would worry about losing them. I wondered if they were secretly hiding emotions and temptations of suicide.
To this day I haven’t openly discussed this with them. Mostly, because the wound from our father’s death seventeen years ago has scabbed over. Only occasionally do I let my mind wander to that place and begin picking at the crusted over terror. I quickly remember why I don’t visit much.
Thankfully, God saved my soul in October of 2004.
I was on a road that was going to lead me to a dead end in some form or fashion.
Once I realized that there is an eternal hope where I could place my past, present, and future, I knew that this was the answer.
Jesus is the answer to suicide. Those currently tempted and those who have survived.
I was given a book by my uncle and aunt shortly after my dad’s death. Honestly, I didn’t open it until a couple of years after receiving it. When I did, I read about a man that thinks I am precious in his sight- no matter what. A man that loves me- no matter how wretched I felt inside. This man was, of course, Jesus Christ.
I had a black hole of dread and emptiness in my heart and I was searching for something that could only be answered by the cross.
Learning To Love
Due to the handful of tragic events that have taken place in my life, I thought I would never know how to give or receive love appropriately. My mind had been distorted. At best, I could imitate how I imagined love was supposed to look like, but even then, I felt like I fell short.
After Jesus saved me, I learned about a love that covered every fear, anxiety, misconception, and torment that my flesh could wield.
His word became my sword for these emotions.
I slowly chopped down misguided feelings and replaced them with the rock solid truth of the Bible.
If You Feel Like No One Understands – Pick Up Your Phone
If you find yourself in a place of hopelessness and you are convinced that no one understands what you are going through, pick up your phone and call someone. If you think there is no one you can call that would possibly understand, then call this number: 1-800-273-8255. This phone number is one that you can call 24/7 and someone on the other line will be there and they understand. If you don’t feel like talking, then please text: HOME to 741741.
