Erica and Pastor Jesse discuss the importance of National Suicide Prevention Month on this Faith Filter. Pastor Jesse shares his personal experiences with suicide and offers practical advice on how to help someone who may be contemplating suicide. He suggests an A, B, C approach:
- Awareness of a person’s mental state
- Boldness in asking about their feelings
- Connectedness through professional help and community support.
It’s so important to show love and support to those around us, and the hope that can be found in faith. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help – You are made with a purpose and are dearly loved.
Click PLAY to dive a little deeper today.
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Pastor Jesse’s podcast: The Bonfire
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
It’s such a privilege to break down what’s going on in the world. To talk about the things that sometimes aren’t easy to talk about with this guy. It’s time for Faith Filter with Pastor Jesse on Spirit 1053. Good morning, brother.
Pastor Jesse:
Good morning, Erica. How are you doing today?
Erica:
Hey, it is always great to talk with you and today, Pastor Jesse, and I’m feeling extra thankful for you right now, because you brought something to my attention and I’m so glad that you’re willing to sit down and talk about this. You reminded me that September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. It’s important to talk about it and we need to be real with each other, but there’s also hope.
Erica:
Yeah, that’s the beautiful thing about believing in Jesus, is that there is always hope. He’s the God of hope. So, how do you and I come alongside somebody who might be really struggling in life right now, even contemplating taking their own life?
Pastor Jesse:
I’ve been through some pain with this topic because I had an uncle on one side and also a cousin on the other side who died by suicide. And I hit some low points in my life too. Here’s a couple of practical things that could help as you consider, what do you do? And it’s an A, B, C. The first is
AWARENESS.
Pay attention when a friend or family member starts to become more depressed or isolated. And then B, as
BOLDNESS.
Ask them questions even three times. How are you doing? How are you feeling about that? What are you thinking? And if they reveal the real story, the inside story, they might even share that they’re thinking about suicide. 22% of high school students are seriously considering it right now. And then as they share that, or if they share, they have a plan or they’ve attempted it, it’s time to reach out to some professional help. And then the last is
CONNECTEDNESS.
There’s a phone number, 988. It’s a national number – It’s a hotline. And then also a counselor, pastor… help them get connected in community as well, friends, church. And there’s some practical things we can do, but it’s not hopeless. It’s a time to step up, draw close to someone and be there for them.
Erica:
I really like that, especially the ABC approach because that’s something everybody can remember. Pastor Jesse, I’m thinking about this guy who’s been standing at an intersection right there in the middle of the road in Florida, and he’s holding up these signs that say,
“It’s going to be a wonderful day. You are loved.”
I feel like we can’t say these things enough to the people around us to look somebody we care about in the eye at least once a day. Several people if we’re overachievers, and share how we feel about them and how much they mean to us. Do you agree?
Pastor Jesse:
It’s such a great message. I love what he’s doing. It kind of reminds me of the Old Testament prophets who brought a message and it was kind of unusual, but physical and it caught your attention. And love initiates, love pursues. When we love people, we do have a message to share. And for all of us, we’re all made in God’s image. We’re all wonderfully made. And there’s a security in the love of Jesus. No one can take away. Life is a gift. It’s worth living. And as we each day look around where we live, work, learn, and play, we are already ambassadors of Jesus. That’s not something that’s going to happen five years down the road, if you study and go back to school… You’re an ambassador today of Jesus. And as you abide with Jesus, you’re going to bring hope and it’s going to be exuded through your words, your actions. You can just tell when someone has the hope of Jesus and you can show up and serve people, bring gifts, bring a message. There’s so much creativity with love. I’d encourage you to take the relationship risk, take the initiative, and bring love to people in a way that maybe surprises them; a gift card they didn’t expect or a note they didn’t see coming. Something from your heart that communicates to someone else, that they are seen, that they’re known, that they’re loved. And ultimately, I think all of that points to Jesus because He was creative. He left heaven, He came to earth. God sent his son to come alongside of us. And all those actions and those incredible stories like you just shared. They all tie and connect to the story of Jesus, and he is the source of hope.
Erica:
Amen. Every single time we talk, I hear the hope and love of Jesus in your voice. Pastor Jesse, thank you so much for hanging out with us.
Pastor Jesse:
Appreciate you having the courage to walk through this topic and talking about this today. Erica.
Erica:
Thank you for bringing it up. I really appreciate it because it is one of those things. It can be a little scary to tread on this ground, but I know with Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid of anything. And who knows? You never know. We may never know that somebody will hear something and not do the thing they planning on doing.
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. God rescues. God saves. God loves. God is with us today.
Erica:
Amen. And if you’re listening because you feel like you are at the end of your rope, listen, my friend Dusty says, that’s just the hem of Jesus’s robe. Grab on, say a prayer right now, and call 988. That’s 988. You can also go to SPIRIT1053.com/prayer and someone will pray for you. If you’re hearing my voice right now and you are thinking about taking your life, please know that there is hope. My friend Garrett says, the way that you spell hope is J-E-S-U-S. He is with you right now. There’s a reason you’re listening to this. Call 988. now. If your heart is still beating, it’s beating for a reason. You were made on purpose for a purpose, and you are loved.
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
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