"Well, I don't want to kill myself anymore!" That was not the response I was expecting to hear when Mia was asked at a staff meeting interview how going through discipleship training and serving at our mission affected her life! As we applauded her answer, I realized a lot was packed into that simple arresting statement.
Suicide is a tough topic to talk about. This conversation can riddle our minds and stir doubt about life's purpose and meaning. Talking about suicide may reveal and expose dark feelings about the very core of our humanity—living.
Recently, a young man in our community of Lindale, Texas took his own life leaving behind heartbroken parents, siblings, and school friends. In the wake of this terrible loss, I am reminded this isn't an isolated event. Many are struggling to find hope, and break the lie that their life doesn't matter.
Suicide has been steadily increasing over the past 15 years. Everyday 130 families are getting notified someone they loved has ended their life. My heart is grieved knowing at the end of each year 50k families in America have suffered this kind of pain and loss. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Stats like these can burden us with despair and become crippling, but we must believe there is hope! Hope for a full, vibrant life for this generation! Life is precious and every person on earth has the right to know the love of Jesus for themselves. He gave His life as ransom for many the Bible teaches us. He has overcome sin and death so we can live a joyful life. With Jesus as our Savior, our lives have been rescued and we are free.
For those who haven't heard this Good News, we must tell them about the love of Jesus. Our schools, workplaces, and even churches are filled with struggling people. The struggle is in the mind—believing lies versus truth about ourselves. The negative narratives we think about ourselves play over and over in our heads like a scratched vinyl record.
How do we help break these lies for people?
We can start with prayer—praying and believing for this next generation.
If you live close enough to our campus in East Texas, join us and many others at Lindale High School for a time of prayer. We can—together—call on God to awaken this next generation to His love and hope.
Your life matters too. If you are reading this and struggling to find hope for your future, you have a friend here at YWAM Tyler who would love to pray with you and encourage you. If you'd like to pray with someone call us at 903-509-5555
Are you in a crisis right now? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741. (Suicide hotline provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Here is an amazing story of how Zach, a Discipleship Training School graduate, found freedom from suicidal thoughts—SUICIDE WAS KNOCKING ON MY DOOR
We believe discipleship is a key to bring transformation in our lives. As we find out how much God truly loves us, everything changes. Perhaps this is your time to jump into a discipleship training program. Find out when the next one starts.