022 Hope When You Have Thoughts of Suicide

Episode Summary:

If you have ever experienced depression or anxiety or suffered the loss of a friend or loved one to death by suicide, then today is the perfect show for you.

September 8-September 14, 2019 is National Suicide Prevention Week in the United States of America, so I wanted to devote this episode to discussing suicide prevention.

This is also the week before my newest book, “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” releases in all major retailers. Because those who get to the point where they consider suicide as a viable option are often overcome with anxiety, it seemed only fitting that we would have an episode that would cover both issues.

Scripture tells us in Psalm 34:18 that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

If that is you today, as one who is feeling broken hearted, crushed in spirit, or perhaps, hopeless, I hope that you will stay with us and listen to our conversation today between a board certified clinical neuropsychologist and a first response crisis chaplain, but more importantly, as two individuals who have been there.

My guest today, Veronica Sites, is a first response crisis chaplain. She grew up in a family of first responders. And sadly, she lost a family member to death by suicide. This experience caused a shift in how she responded in such situations. But she also experienced some tragic life experiences which brought her to the point that she began to believe some lies that took her down the path to attempting to end her own life by suicide.

When she woke up she told a friend, “The Lord is going to use this for His glory. You just watch.” And that is what has happened, as she now serves as a first response crisis chaplain and she tries to educate about suicide prevention.

It’s okay to ask God how we are to get through our most difficult circumstances. When God’s children submit to Him, He will often send us back to give others hope.

We must be so very careful of the words we speak. When we speak things like “I can’t do this anymore,” we forfeit in the spiritual, and give the enemy an open door to bring havoc into our lives.

The enemy takes just a seed of truth and twists it to try to deceive us. That is why it is so crucial that we truly know the truth of God’s word.

Use the truths of God’s word. Meditate on scripture, listen to praise and worship. When the stinking thinking sets in, speak it out and ask the Lord to unpack it like a trunk. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind.

Quotables from the episode:

• The Lord never wastes a hurt.
• God transforms pain that was meant to be destructive into something that can be productive for His namesake and the healing of others.
• People don’t necessarily want to die…they just want the pain to end.
• You are the temple of the living God.We can always trust the Lord, even when we don’t know what the outcome is going to be.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and (self-discipline. NIV), (NASB - discipling / sound judgement)
• Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Recommended Resources:

• “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N
• “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J
• “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2yMdN46
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/i-have-a-confession-im-a-christian-and-i-was-suicidal/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/the-sadness-behind-suicide/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/suicide-theres-another-way/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/yes-christians-get-depressed-there-is-hope/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/this-thing-called-depression-signs-and-symptoms/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-verses-of-hope-for-when-you-are-down-or-depressed/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-ways-to-help-depressed-husband-wife/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/dear-patient-now-i-understand/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-promises-from-god-to-the-patient-i-didnt-meet/

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Veronica Sites 

• Website: https://www.conflictresolutionspeaker.com/
• FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/conflictresolutionspeaker/
• Twitter link https://twitter.com/VeronicaSites
• Pinterest link https://www.pinterest.com/veronicasites/
• Vimeo link https://vimeo.com/veronicasites
• Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDc6__zg_pGKmRlhJL_m0Q?

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

• To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
• Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/
• Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson
• Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/