Day 20 - Be Kind

Letters to my teenage self 

A Devotional for Trauma Survivors 

Day 20 - Be Kind

Dear teenage self, 

Be kind. I know it's hard sometimes to say things that don't come naturally to you, but I need you to try. Be kind to others and be kind to yourself. When unsure what kindness looks like, consider what Jesus says about others. What does Jesus say about you? 

Your self-talk is consistently cruel, which causes you to become bitter and angry with others. This anger leaches out into your personality, making you unpleasant to spend time with. I'm not telling you this in order to beat you down but to help you become self-aware. Negativity repels others. 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

+Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Don't make a habit of negativity, bitterness, anger, or unkindness. Practice saying kind words to yourself and others. Look for things to like about yourself and the people around you, then verbalize those qualities in a compliment. Make it a daily challenge to say twelve kind things to others and twelve to yourself. Spend time in God's Word, studying what God thinks about you. Immerse yourself in love and kindness. 

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, it's hard to be kind when many insults are thrown at me daily. The bullying, abuse, and trauma I have endured make me feel bitter, hurt, sad, and angry. Sometimes, it is much easier to lash out at others than to speak kind words to them. Please guide me to the sections of Your Holy Word that point out practical ways to show love and kindness to myself and others. Thank You for being a perfect example of forgiveness, love, kindness, and mercy. I love You, Jesus. It is in Your holy name that I pray. Amen. 

I wish I could share the Heavenly smell of these roses with you, brothers and sisters in Christ. They smell amazing. 

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.

 

 

 

Day 19 - God Is Always Bigger

Letters to my teenage self 

A Devotional for Trauma Survivors 

Day 19 - God Is Always Bigger

Dear teenage self, 

I have seen the results firsthand of suicide. I have experienced the heartbreak every day for nearly a year now. Two of my dear friends made a suicide pact last year. One of them died, and one of them is presumed alive but nowhere to be found. My heart breaks anew each day, missing them both. 

My last words with one of them weren't kind, though, at the time, I thought I was doing the kindest thing possible by sharing the Word of God with them. The problem is that my attitude behind sharing those words was neither kind nor loving. I did not realize it until later - when it was too late. 

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary set of problems that seem too big for you or anyone else to handle. But here's what I want you to spend a long time - years if that's what it takes - ruminating on - God is bigger than all of our problems, no matter how big they appear. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

+Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

I wish I could hug my friends again. I wish I could tell them I am sorry for the unkind words in person. I wish to thank them for being so kind and loving to my family and me. I wish I could minister to their needs. I wish all kinds of things, but none of them are likely to come to fruition. The emotions I feel surrounding the loss of my friends are complex, painful, and lasting. Suicide is not the answer. It never is. But do you know what the actual answer to all of life's problems is? 

JESUS. 

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.