Hope for the Despairing

By |Published On: September 17, 2018|Categories: News|

Recently I saw updated statistics on the number of suicides in the United States, and they broke my heart. The rates just keep climbing.

When I was first injured, I despaired of my condition, so much so that I wanted to end my life. Thank God there was no right-to-die movement or advocates egging me on to act on my despair. My problem wasn’t my spinal cord injury; my problem was clinical depression, and that can be cured! This is why I am so adamant that we help despairing people—with or without disabilities—find hope and help in Christ.  And it begins with compassion. Christian leaders and lay people can make such a huge difference in the lives of despairing individuals—I am a great case in point!

September is Suicide Prevention Month, so I’d like to share this video I recorded with Dr. Tan Soon Yong, Pastor of The Fishermen of Christ Fellowship in Singapore—we discuss how the church can make a difference in the lives of those who are despairing. If you, or someone you love, is struggling, please know you are not alone. We at Joni and Friends are happy to pray with you and connect you to ongoing help.

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