The Accuser

 

Do you have something in your past that you just can't let go of? Something that continues to weigh on you years or decades later? Even though you've confessed the sin to our Father in Heaven, and felt His forgiveness, you just can't seem to forgive yourself?

     I have two events like that. Even though God has forgiven me, I can't forgive myself. For a long time, I thought that maybe I needed to share those parts of my life with others, but that just doesn't feel right, at least not right now. The people I have shared with were understanding and supportive, but it didn't lessen my guilt and shame. That was to be expected. If the burden was still there after God forgave me, then of course it would still be there after confessing to people who were uninvolved.

     My guilt was then compounded with the thought that 'who am I to not forgive sins that God has forgiven?' Jesus died a horrible death so that my sins would be forgiven. So, what did that say about my unwillingness to forgive? It's the same as not forgiving others.

     I now realize that it's Satan, the Great Accuser, who is causing me to hang onto these things, to make me feel bad about myself, to bring me down. Please don't let him do that to you. Recognize it and tell him to "go away." Pray for help and strength.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and 

just to forgive us our sins and 

to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are carrying around guilt and shame, especially for those who are troubled with the past and can't let go, even though our Father has forgiven them. Pray that they recognize that Jesus died for all of their sins, that those sins are now wiped away and they are now a new being in His eyes.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #guilt #shame #accusation #Satan #depression #forgiveness

Our stronghold

 

The Lord is good,

A stronghold in the day of trouble;

And He knows those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7

David Jeremiah tweeted yesterday:
"There’s no other person on earth like you, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be!
We are uniquely created by God to serve Him, and we should never bemoan the way we are. Let Him have control over your life and ask Him to work through you for His glory today!"

See Tuesday's post: Start the conversation
Monday's post: Teen suicide
Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere

You'll save me

 

You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Psalm 32:7 NKJV

See Tuesday's post: Start the conversation
Monday's post: Teen suicide
Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere

A clean heart

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalm 51:10,12 NKJV

See Tuesday's post: Start the conversation
Monday's post: Teen suicide
Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere

Breakdown

 

Our children are being misled by information posted on social media. They mistakenly feel that everyone else is doing better than they are, that everyone else is happier than they are. It makes them feel isolated and alone like no one could possibly relate to the negative feelings or depression they're experiencing.

     I also feel like instant messaging, texting, emailing, and posting are causing all of us, and especially young people, to avoid person-to-person verbal communication. I know with our busy lives it's faster to write than to call someone, but I also know a lot of people who hide behind the written methods to avoid possible negative conversations. If we don't hear the inflections in the person's voice, then the message isn't as painful (maybe, sometimes). It's just something I think about. 

     But, back to social media. The nature of it has us posting our happiest moments, our triumphs, accomplishments. Some people post when things aren't going well, but for the most part, it's only the best of us that gets shared.

     People who are depressed and aware that their lives aren't full of those celebratory moments look at those posts and feel inadequate. Their self-esteem gets knocked down another notch. They get a little more depressed. Plus, there's online bullying and other negative forces at play.

     I don't mean to focus on the negative, but it's what a lot of our teens are going through and we need to be reminded of that once in a while. They need to be reminded that they are loved and that God created them in His image, and that He will never leave them or forsake them.

     As I sometimes go through personal struggles, this song is a reminder to be honest about how I'm feeling and to take everything to the Lord. He sees our pain. He knows we're broken. We need to take everything to Him in prayer.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,

Because the Lord has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

See Tuesday's post: Start the conversation
Monday's post: Teen suicide
Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere

Call upon Me

 

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Psalm 50:15 NKJV

We're talking about teen suicide this week and praying for our youth. This pandemic is affecting them in ways that we can't fully understand. Additionally, the trials and struggles of being a teenager often make this time of life extremely difficult.  Please reach out to the teens in your life. Have a conversation with them.

See Tuesday's post: Start the conversation
Monday's post: Teen suicide

Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere

Start the conversation

 

One more thing I can share from experience is if your young person is suicidal, try taking them to the ER, not the Children's hospital ER. Maybe it was just an isolated incident, but I don't feel like a loved one got the same attention at Children's for mental health (he did for physical issues) that another loved one got at a hospital ER.
     Also, please don't give up trying to talk to your children about this very important topic. I know it's frustrating. Here's an article about having those types of conversations. Click here.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 42:11 NKJV

Yesterday's post: Teen suicide

Resources:

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784 2433)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

CDC #BeThere campaign and suicide prevention information 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are contemplating suicide. Let's pray that our Father in Heaven lighten their burdens and allow them to see that there is hope in Him. Pray that they seek help. Pray that they will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and be comforted.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #teen #suicide #pandemic #isolation #depression #BeThere