Suicide is such a sad part of our world today. The latest stats from the CDC indicate someone dies of suicide every eleven minutes in the United States. 30 times more people attempt suicide than die from it annually. And a staggering 12.8 million seriously think about it. Sheila is one of these people who has attempted it and seriously thinks about it from time to time. But, here’s the thing, she doesn’t want to. She’s not trying to attract attention or crying for help. She’s broken from an abusive childhood, bad relationships with men, and a conman who kidnapped her.
Now in her sixties, Sheila continues to attend church regularly and find relief from suicidality through an interconnected network that includes reading the scriptures and prayer, pastoral care, psychiatrists, psychologists, loving family and friends, and occasional trips to the psych ward when nothing is working.
By hearing her tragic and larger-than-life story, you’ll not only gain important insights into this terrible affliction, but you’ll grow in compassion for those living with suicidality. Sheila is a member of my church and I have worked with her off and on for twenty years and I’m happy to say, she’s a fighter whose tenacity I find inspiring and hope you will too.
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Hello –
Thank you Pastor Sean for posting such a much-needed, view into the debilitating pain that even faithful believers sometimes have to endure.
Thank you Sheila for your bravery in recounting trauma I’m sure you would rather not focus on. I admire your openness about the fact that trusting God gives you hope and strength in spite of the fact that your struggle continues. I haven’t experienced anything close to the trauma you have but I have walked through times when it seems like the best option, only option, is to “check out” by taking my own life.
Your testimony was encouraging to me in that, even though you still fight the anxiety and depression, you stand up as a faithful believer, trusting God as you continue to “fight the good fight of faith.” I used to think because part of my testimony to God’s deliverance was that he had delivered me from my depression and anxiety, anytime I went through another episode, I was failing to be a good witness. I do think Christians sometime assume if we are praying and studying and trusting God our will depression will go away. Therefore, if we go through a bad patch, the assumption is we must not be believing or we must be harboring g some other sin in our hearts.
It was refreshing to hear both you and pastor Sean publicly acknowledge and educate people to see that is not always the case. I pray for your you and your continued walk and encourage you to know that God is using what you have learned and are learning to bless other people.
God bless you! Teresa Harbett
Pastor Sean,
That was inspirational. Bless Sheila for her courage and good job interviewing.
Ken,
Seriously! Let’s leave the vitriol out of our communication. I believe you’re absolutely correct and I’ll stick with you on that. Let’s press on making our point with love and the conviction that we’re right.
I pray that we all speak in tongues!