Come As You Are, You Were Made For A Purpose

September is Suicide Awareness month. This one hits home for me and I know it does for so so many people.

Over 42% of U.S. adults know someone who died by suicide. About 12.8 million U.S. adults reported seriously considering suicide in the past year.

These statistics break my heart. I do not think it is a stretch to say that we all have felt the impacts of suicide in our communities.

But here’s a truth I want you to hold close: in God’s eyes you were made to be here. Not by mistake, not because others need you, but because you matter intrinsically.

God does not look at you and wish you were someone else.

Reasons to Stay

One thing I read that stopped me in my tracks was "If you have goodbye letters to write, you have reasons to stay." There are places you haven’t seen, people you haven’t hugged, sunsets to watch, dogs to adopt, meals to enjoy, babies to wave at, and people who want you and need you here. There are chapters in your story that are still unwritten. Small things count: a phone call, a trip you have not taken, a habit you are just beginning. Those unfinished pages are reasons to keep breathing.

When despair moves in, it twists reality. Loneliness tells you that you are a burden. Shame whispers that you are replaceable. These voices feel loud because pain is convincing. I will not pretend those feelings are easy to shake. I understand. They are real. But they are not true. Even when your mind says, I do not matter, God’s truth says, you do. 

Being the Fire for Others

Jesus said he came to set the world on fire. Sometimes that fire is within us. Other times it arrives from someone else’s cup of love. We were not made to carry everything alone. Let others be the fire when you cannot kindle it yourself. Let a friend hold you. Let a pastor, counselor, or sibling keep watch when you are tired. Asking for help is not weakness. It is human. It is how communities keep one another safe.

On the flipside, it is also our duty to check in with our people. To have to honest conversations. To truly listen. And let our actions and words for one another lead with love. A simple "how are you?" "I am proud of you," "You are on my heart today," and "I love you," can literally save a life. Don't ever leave things like that unsaid.

Call to Action

You are meant to be here. You were created intentionally and loved beyond measure. If right now you are thinking about hurting yourself, please call or text 988. If you are outside the United States, contact your local emergency services or your national crisis line. If you are not in immediate danger but you are struggling, please reach out to a trusted friend, a family member, or a mental health professional.

If you are reading this and you are not the one in crisis, do one simple thing today: reach out. Send a text that says, I was thinking of you. Are you okay? It only costs a minute and it might save a life. Become the reminder of worth somebody needs. Remember that you cannot always tell when someone is struggling. Ask anyway. Offer to sit. If you are worried someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away.

A Note of Hope

The world is better with you in it. God does not create extras. Your story is not finished. There is grace for the next step, even if the next step is only a second at a time. You were made to be here. Please hold on and let us hold you.

All my love,

Neva