By Nancy Virden (c)2024

I recently watched a movie on RedeemTV titled The Trial in which an attorney who lost his family in a car crash quit living his life and became suicidal. The day a judge called him back to work, he had been about to kill himself. His point of view was impacted by the death penalty case to which he was assigned. At the movie’s end, he told his support group, “Life changed when I stopped asking God why my wife and children were gone and started thanking him that I am still here.”

Normal grief may initially feel overwhelming then people tend to return to daily life. When grief becomes obsessive or interferes with regular functioning for a longer term, help is often needed to move on. In the case of this fictional lawyer, it had been two years of not working, not seeing people, and staying stuck with his own thoughts.

Learning to thank God for life is a huge and sometimes difficult step after one has been suicidal. A part of that is the fear of a rerun- of continuing depression, emotional pain, and loss. Until a person can believe that change is possible (hope), there is no recourse except continuing in misery.

I can relate to the lawyer’s comment about thanking God for life. I began thanking God out of faith several years ago, not in understanding. He met me where I was and patiently walked me through the process of becoming whole.

Each of us can thank God for life because life is sacred. It is a gift from God to appreciate. In another movie, a mother who lost her son stated, “I know we are only here to get there,” indicating heaven. With eternity in mind, we can experience more patience and emotional energy to make a difference for others.

-COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Nehemiah 8:10

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 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. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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