To the Person Ready to Give Up On Life and Who Needs A Reason to Live

Maybe you’re looking through your WordPress Reader right now looking for a reason to live. Maybe you searched out these words to find a reason not to give up on life. Maybe today sucked. Maybe this life has sucked and you’re ready to give up. ~~~~~~DON’T!~~~~~~ You matter. You matter to someone who you may not even know you matter to. You matter to people you haven’t even met yet because what is within you that helps you press through each day is something someone else is going to come looking to you to provide for them. You matter because you woke up this morning and that mean GOD, the Creator of this world, thought enough about you to give you another day to continue. And I know right now He is the last name you want to say and you’re wondering where the hell He is, but He is right there with you keeping the rest of hell away as you fight this battle. Yes, the diagnosis is terrible. Yes, the mass is larger than anything the doctor has ever seen. Yes, the report sounds terrible and you’re afraid. But also YES you matter to people and they will know and care if you aren’t around.

I can’t tell you it will be easy. I can’t even tell you that it will get better quickly. What I can tell you is that people who paused and made the decision to go on despite wanting to die don’t regret how they were able to overcome and rewrite their futures and truths. This isn’t how life has to be. All these situations and circumstances are temporary. And only you can choose to give up the fight. The fact that you are here looking for a reason means there is a spark of hope within you that it can be better. Reach out to someone, ask for help, and start over. You can’t do this. It doesn’t matter who is around you, it matters that YOU are ready to overcome to and to see through new eyes this world you’re living in. Will you stay? You won’t regret not ending it today when you see where you can be in five years with the right support system.

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This week someone who thought they’d never escape and never do better and never beat their addiction finally sought help. I’m so proud of that person and celebrated her today.

In the same moments I was celebrating, someone else found out some terrible news and decided life wasn’t worth living anymore. I’m still awaiting news on the outcome but I am having faith that it will be one that leads to the road for healing.

Each week, in conversations with friends and strangers alike, I’m told of how there are so few reasons to go on, so little joy in the world anymore, and so many reasons to quit. People are among us, even reading this right now, who feel alone and tired and hopeless. If that is you, please know this… my friend who is finally going to beat addiction isn’t going to have easy days ahead and neither will you. But I know the person won’t regret the decision to finally seek and accept help and neither will you. The first step is to admit we feel alone and need someone. I know you’re strong – it’s usually the strongest ones who are most alone. I know you’re pride doesn’t want to ask for help, I’ve been there too. But you must. I know it takes more courage to live than to take your life. I know it’s not really a selfish act but one of desperation and pain that some will never experience. But there are many who have gone before you who made the choice to stay and they can help you through this storm, pain, crisis, and hell. Don’t give up. Not today; not ever.

Call the suicide hotline. Reach out to someone who you respect and know has the resources to help – whether you think they will or not. Ask a pastor. Talk to your EAP. Do whatever you need to do so you can begin the road toward victory over this current moment.