Dear Friend,
I've never been in your shoes, but I've met people like you. They've told me about what it's like to be where you are, think what you think, and feel what you feel. You feel stuck, like you're in a box that no one can get into and you can't get out of. It's only going to get worse, and this will be the rest of your life. At least, that's what the voices in your head tell you. The voices say, "You're worthless, you'll never be good enough, it would be better if you weren't here."
Friend, don't listen to the voices. You are hearing lies, and you are tempted to believe them. The Giver of Life who made you will never tell you that your life is worthless, and He will certainly never tell you to take your life. Here is what He does say to you:
- Christ prayed for you to be united with other believers. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." (John 17:20-23, ESV)
- The Lord hears the prayers of those who are in anguish. "I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer." (Psalm 6:6-9, ESV)
- The Holy Spirit prays for you when you do not know how. " Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:26-28, ESV)
- Jesus Christ is interceding for us. No one can condemn you, separate you from God, or take away the love and gifts He has given you. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:31-34, ESV)
- Christ understands our suffering and temptation, so we can ask Him for help. "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- You are blessed and will be comforted. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, ESV)
I hope these scriptures have comforted your heart, my Friend. Remember that we are in a war, not just a battle. The temptation to believe the lies may leave you, or it may never leave you, but you always have a place of refuge in the Word of God. Cry out to God to help your doubt and trouble, as the father of a troubled boy once cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, ESV).
Sincerely,
Your Sister in Christ
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