By Nancy Virden (c)2023
Despite that twelve years ago I could see no purpose in existence, my life is full. Depression lied to me and continues to lie to many vulnerable people.
In September I will begin teaching a class called “Mental Health and Bible Characters” and writing a corresponding book and study guide. I will be leading a women’s autumn support group for any woman with an emotional or coping need or hurt who wants support (such as work or relationship problems or mood issues, etc.) I also will be mentoring 2 young girls.
All of this new activity contrasts with the exit of the old. For the past 6 years, I’ve been teaching an introductory Bible Study to women in my old neighborhood. Today, that ministry came to a close. The ladies are believers now and attend church and other studies. Two have ventured into teaching themselves.
My point is that purpose flows- it isn’t stagnant such as “I will find the one purpose that will make me happy.” Opportunities to make a difference come and go.
Seize today as your day of meaningful service.
Your purpose lies in smiling at your next-door neighbor or being gracious to clerks and waiters. Encourage your spouse and children. Volunteer in some small or big way. Sometimes, our purpose is to take time to get well or prepare ourselves to reach out in a healthy way later.
Do not believe the lie that your life is useless. You have a meaningful purpose today.
-COMMENTS WELCOME
Today’s Helpful Word
Psalm 20: nkj
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.
If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!
Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.
HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/
Always the Fight 
feeling so desperate to help my son.. I flew out to see him last week to figure out if he is too depressed to get a job. Its 50/50. He had an interview and it went poorly. He lost his freelance work yesterday an is overdrawn by $500. He has no credit card or car and is in LA trying to make a go of music.
Now it seems he must return after losing his job and girlfriend of 7 years within one week. (the girl went first). He attempted suicide 2 months later.
That was last November and all his savings are gone, so now he will be homeless unless I send $ which my husband says no.
I don’t know what to do.
He will get food stamps soon at least. He loves his music studio but it will run $2400 a month, come January.
He tried Ketamine treatments but only did 3, he seems drug resistant to antidepressants. The first one seemed to work. Not the rest and they are expensive and not covered by insurance.
His Dr is in our city and treats him via zoom.
Hes been stubborn about getting another tech writing job and now sends out dozens of applications a day. But when I saw him (he wouldn’t let me come sooner) he is a fragment of his buoyant attitude. Hes so insecure and sleeps all the time.
I know a job wouldn’t cure everything but it would be a start. Its so sad to watch him fall through the cracks.
Coming home would be a deathblow in his mind but of course he is welcome here.
If you have any thoughts I would appreciate it.
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I would tell your son that when our plans and expectations leave us disappointed, it can look like there is no acceptable plan B. But that is pain talking. I would ask him to hang on to my hope for a while because his is depleted. I would encourage him to see a psychiatrist in the town he lives in, or to go home temporarily until this crisis is over. Coming home is not defeat; it is the opportunity to pause and reassess as all of us need to do from time to time. If he must stay in LA, there are free clinics. Does he know that county hospitals and the services offered there can be free? Obamacare is available following a life event such as losing one’s job and he could get an amazing deal there as well. It is not defeat to accept handouts in times of need.
I would take him to church if he was willing. Broken hearts are not easily mended. He could go to a church and seek out a pastor to talk to for free. That is all I would know to do for your son because I do not know him or all the details.
What I want to tell you is to give him all the information you can. Keep your invitation lighthearted and emphasize “temporary pause” over “coming home”. Make the pause (as much as it is in your power) about progress. In other words, instead of making it about his need for rest, talk about reassessment and gathering information and getting prepared to begin again- something he has the power to do when he feels stronger. Maybe there are people or therapists in your area he would be willing to talk to for a couple months.
Meanwhile, pray to God who loves your son more than you do. Ask Christians to pray for him in Jesus’ name.
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