​In the past couple of weeks, those in our community have experienced loosing friends and loved ones to suicide and drug overdose.  Some were in their youth where one would think they had a bright future.  Some were parents of youth who struggled to see a positive future. I'm attending an event this weekend to over hear a grandmother crying out over her 5th grade grandson who experienced the harmful effects of bullying.  As adults and children, we all have a desire to be loved and accepted by those around us.  Somehow, some of those around us loose the hope and we do not know about it until it is too late.  

​Suicidal thoughts or feelings can make us feel frightened and overwhelmed.  We can feel crazy or worried we are going crazy and may be embarrassed to share what we're thinking with others.  Or maybe we have tried to talk about it and were dismissed ("Come on, you don't really feel that way!"), or made fun of ("There you go again, you wimpy cry-baby!"), or not taken seriously ("You're always talking about that - one of these days maybe you'll do it").  Perhaps the people we talked to did not understand what to say so they just ignored us and said nothing.  Just because we could not find someone who listened in a helpful way, though, does not mean we should give up!  Talking about suicidal thoughts and feelings - with the right person - can make all the difference in the world.  

​Many of us as teens and adults were raised in church. Most of those were taught to observe religion. Religion is defined by the observance of practices and behaviors.  From this, we have programmed ourselves to carry out certain actions and behaviors within a certain community to be accepted. This gives a person the cause to hide your true self and be something you are not. 

​Pain comes from not recognizing our purpose is greater than the circumstances that we face.  Whether it is neglect, abandonment, or other emotional pain we face, we sometimes loose the focus on why we exist.  Is it to go through the abuse of others?  Is it to live out our lives for them?  What is purpose?

​Many of us, whether we want to admit it or not, have experienced some type of habit, hurt, or hang-up.  What we fail to understand is the power of love that is needed to over come them.  Love does truly conquer all things.  Love from family, love from peers, love from a support team. However, the greatest love, is the love of Christ.  The biggest challenge becomes understanding how faith, hope, and love comes into place to overcome these challenges.