Another tragic story passed through my Facebook feed this week. A young mom decided that her life was too difficult to continue living. A beautiful soul that dearly loved her family — is now represented by an empty seat at the dinner table.
Why would a selfless, devoted mom decide that her life needed to end? Here’s the answer — she believed the devil’s lie that her life no longer mattered.
She was wrong. Her life was of incredible value, and so is yours.
If you’re reading this and you’re at the end of your rope, I can sympathize with you. But in the same breath I beg you, please don’t do something permanent to relieve temporary pain. Get the help you need. Admit the thoughts you’re having. Cry out to the Lord and ask Him to help you get out of the pit of depression.
But most importantly, stay mama.
Your life is so valuable. Your decisions have lifetime impacts on others. Choose to stay, even when it’s hard. Even when you can’t see the light. Even when you don’t know how things are going to get better.
Stay, mama.
Because here’s what happens when you stay — your kids see you modeling perseverance through tough situations. When you stay, they see see you living out your trust in the Lord. When you stay, they see the most trusted adult in their life has their back and won’t leave them. When you stay their bond with you solidifies and anchors them through their own future storms. When you stay — it gives them hope for the future.
There are generations who will be affected by your decisions. Don’t give up the fight and run. Don’t end your life before it’s time.
Choose to stay and get the help you need. Choose to put in the effort to go to therapy. Choose to walk through the door of that neighborhood church and ask someone for prayer. Choose a healthy action that will be for the benefit your children. Choose to stay.
Why? Because He (Jesus) did.
He stayed on that cross to take your place, so that you could live a victorious life. He stayed with a crown of thorns on His head to bear the burden of your depression. He stayed in the grave for three days to deal with your sin so that you could receive eternal life through HIm. He’s right next to you, offering you his hand.
Choose Him, choose to seek help and choose to stay.
Reflection Questions:
What is something you would like to run away from? How can you change your perspective to remind yourself that these troubles will someday be a distant memory?
Who can you reach out to that can help you stay — even if times are incredibly difficult?
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