Power to Change » suicide

Something To Live For – Victoria Childress

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:40 +0000

At a point in her life, Victoria Childress wore her heart on her sleeve — literally. In a moment of severe pain and desperation, Victoria etched the word “SAD” on her arm with a knife. Growing up in a divided family, she felt as if she had nothing to live for. She would sit in a state of physical and emotional darkness, trying to mask an invisible pain with one that she inflicted upon herself in attempt to take matters into her own hands. Finally, a teacher and physician intervened which led to Victoria signing a contract to commit to live. Through this dark and bottomless pit, she secretly prayed for God to reveal Himself. It wasn’t long after when Victoria found herself face-to-face with the invisible: faith, hope, and love.

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Understanding cutting
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Hitting Rock Bottom

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:57 +0000

Many people consider depression as a social taboo. As a result, a great majority of people who are depressed do not seek help. They face their battles alone, with no one but themselves to turn to. Their subtle cries for help are silenced, and their grief is discounted to something no more than a mere case of “the blues”. Eventually they hit rock bottom and the only solution to end their grief is suicide — a permanent solution to a temporary and treatable problem. Can God intervene in a seemingly hopeless plight? A man shares the story of how he felt devoured by his depression and the surprising phone call he received shortly after writing his letter of goodbye.

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A spiritual understanding of depression
Do you feel broken by life? Take our free life lesson.
Are you feeling suicidal? Talk to a mentor.

God Loves You – Nick Vujicic

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:25 +0000

When was the last time you’ve been told that you are beautiful, loved, and that you were fearfully and wonderfully made? Growing up without arms and legs, Australian motivational speaker Nick Vujicic thought there was nothing more to life than the pain of being bullied. Overwhelmed by the love of God, Nick later realized that God’s plan for his life was beyond anything he could have ever imagined. With the value of his life rooted in the gift of God’s grace and mercy, Nick poses the challenges of being a follower of Christ. He discusses your responsibility to your nation and to your neighbour; and speaks of the wonders of having your life infused with both Scripture and the Spirit. Through it all, when all the praise and criticism has faded away, what is the message you most ardently needed to hear?

Learn more about Nick Vujicic

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Can you make a difference in this world?
What “beauty” truly means. Take this life lesson
Are you struggling with rejection and acceptance? Talk to a mentor

Take a Step of Faith

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:24 +0000

Have you ever heard God tell you to talk to someone but fear took over instead? God may be working in your life to reach out to someone who is at his or her rock bottom. You could be the person to change their life – you might even save their life. God can reach our world through you. He has a plan for your life. Do you know what that plan is? Watch the video

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Join the conversation with “Take a Step of Faith” discussion questions
Evangelize? Who, me?
God in every day conversations

I Felt Abandoned by Life

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:52:24 +0000

According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 10 people (7.9%-8.6% of adult Canadians) will experience major depression during their lifetimes. For Marie-Eve, it wasn’t any particular life circumstance that was causing her depression. Friends, family, work, music, everything seemed to be humming along fine. Yet she felt abandoned by life.

Have you ever felt this way? If you are struggling with depression or “dark thoughts”, contact an online mentor to talk about it, privately & confidentially.

Connect in the Comments

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:33:07 +0000

One of the most active and honest places in online ministry is the comment section. Claire Colvin recently moderated a comment from a young girl who’d been bullied and already tried to commit suicide once before. She wrote: “I’m 13. Maybe I’ll turn 14 in September.” Volunteers who help respond to these kinds of comments have the opportunity to reach into a person’s life right in the moment when they most desperately need it. “It’s not going to be as tidy and clean as it might be on a Sunday morning, but what’s in there is real,” says Claire.

Connect With a Community

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:28:56 +0000

While living in Geneva, Switzerland, Susan learned the critical importance of community. She saw how people—even ones in important corporate and international agency jobs—all needed to connect. In an environment with high rates of depression, divorce and suicide, she understood: If people didn’t connect, they literally were not going to survive living there.

Related
Does God care about me?

Why Isn’t Fame Enough?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:35:46 +0000

When Mandy walked through the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art she was struck by his brilliance but also by the sadness and despair that she saw in his collections. She says, “For someone who had so much fame and greatness in his art, I wonder why he decided to end his life.” What do you base your life on?

Questioning Suicide

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:55:50 +0000

At age 17, Brad stood next to some railroad tracks watching the trains going by, contemplating ending his life. His felt that, “If this is all there is, then I’m ready to get it over with.” Thankfully Brad did not follow through. Suicide is a permanent and tragic conclusion to a problem that is often temporary. If you are contemplating suicide, contact us immediately to talk, or explore these other options to talk with someone today.

Rules without Relationships leads to Rebellion

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:00:45 +0000

>> Watch part 10 of this series: A Father’s Impact on Michael Jackson

New to this series? Watch the introduction video here

What forms our beliefs and our values? What forms our children’s beliefs and their values? Join internationally recognized speaker & scholar Josh McDowell as he explores how to have a positive impact on the lives of young people.

In part nine of the “Relationships that Transform” video series, Josh explains why truth and love are both necessary for a child’s development. He begins this segment by saying:

“Love and truth. It’s not love. It’s not truth. It’s love in the context of truth that impacts a child.”

>> Watch part 10 of this series: A Father’s Impact on Michael Jackson