shareyourstorynow.org

My son, the angel

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

[ Psalm 27:10 (NIV)]

Agnes says:

After losing my only son (Prince Shem) who died on 10th May 2010 at the age of six months, I thought that life wouldn’t continue, because at that time I could not understand the purpose for of living. I longed to commit suicide, and involved myself in drugs and drinking so that I could be relieved of the incredible sadness. Even though I suffered a great deal of emotional frustration and anxiety during my pregnancy, as my child was the result of my then boyfriend raping me, my son’s birth turned that darkness to REAL LIGHT.

My son was my pride and joy, my everything! After a great deal of heartache involving my Son’s father, who left me for another woman, my son’s father started to visit us, which really filled my heart with love. Unfortunately, a great deal of pain and sadness was about to be brought into my life, and a drastic change in my life occurred. I was at work, just like any other day, and I received a call from my brother who told me to come to the hospital immediately. When I arrived, I found my son lying there, dead. I was beside myself, and all I could do was scream, “Why God? Why?!” Later I found out that while my son was being fed porridge, the food went down his throat in the wrong direction, causing his airway to be blocked.

It has been hard but through verses such as Psalm 27:10, I have been strong, knowing that the creator is the taker, he was only my gift for a short time. And God has a reason for taking him away. I always believe He needed more angels and my son was one of the best.

Never question God. He always has a reason.

//From the SYSN Admin: What heartaches has God brought you through? Please comment on Agnes’s heart wrenching story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 and is filed under Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Suicide. | 1 Comment »

Comfort in Life’s Circumstances

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.

[Psalm 23:1-3]

Carolyn K. says:
This verse provides me with spiritual comfort. It lets me know that God is with me in any
situation. That He is guiding me and my life. That all situations involves Him and that even
if it is one of darkness, that He will protect and guide me through.

This verse has impacted me through the suicide deaths of two of my teenage sons, through a residential fire, divorce, estranged relationships with children, loss of jobs, estrangements from
extended family members because I chose to leave a life of worldliness.

Of being alone and not having those you love to support the direction I’ve decided to live in the Lord.
And that through all this and much more, because I’ve turned my will and life over to God’s care and protection, Ive remained sober and dedicated to the Lord since 1982. And have tried to encourage others to seek and have a relationship with God. That to do so, will both change the person and their lives.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Suicide, Divorce & Marital Conflict. | No Comments »

Lanae Hale: Overcoming Depression In A Christian Home

Be brave and strong! Don’t be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The LORD your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.

[Deuteronomy 31:6 CEV]

Christian music singer Lanae Hale shares how even though she grew up in a Christian home she struggled with thoughts of suicide and saw that God never left her side.

Story posted on Thursday, August 13th, 2009 and is filed under Bible, Video Stories, God's Love, Hope, Lanae Hale, Praise, Suicide, Grace, Overcoming sin, Christian Families, Struggles, Evangelization, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

Showing My Friends My Faith

“The LORD will lead you into the land. He will always be with you and help you, so don’t ever be afraid of your enemies. “

[Deuteronomy 31:8 CEV]

Mauri writes:

Some of my friends and I have started sending bible verses to each other everyday for encouragement, and this is one I sent one day. This has helped me so much lately.

I have a best friend that is going through depression (at 13 I might add). She also has lost all faith and belief in God. She says she’s mentally incapable of believing that God could fix all of this, and that it’s hard to trust in someone who she’s not sure even exists.

It scares me to death to wake up every morning and there being a possibility of her being gone. But it’s even scarier to think of where she’d going if that happens. I told my youth leader about her depression and the harm she does to herself, and he told her parents. She actually has a doctor’s appointment next week.

But anyway, his whole situation has definitely helped me in my walk with God. I’ve had to work extra hard to live my life as a Christian, because this situation brought me to the realization that the way you act does affect other people.

The other night, I almost gave up. I’ve been living the Christian life around her, I’ve brought God up around her almost everyday, I’ve shown love and care, everything I’m told to do..but it seemed like nothing was working. I felt like every effort I was putting forth to help her was pointless.

I started thinking more on this verse though, and it hit me. God’s leading everything for me, I just have to go along. He knows what will come out of the situation. Satan tried to discourage me, but I finally realized that I shouldn’t be discouraged if I’m doing something for the glory of God.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 and is filed under Praise, Bible, God's Love, Hope, Your Stories, Suicide, Mentoring, Struggles, Evangelization, Prayer, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

I Am Struggling

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

[Matthew 22:37 NIV]

Nicole writes:

i dont know why but i always loved that phrase because i do love god with my heart,soul,and mind but i think im not needed, that it would be easier if i was gone so i wouldnt feel the pain.My friends just made it worse by being mad and scared and by that it just put more pain on me with their anger.When i was a little girl my parents got divorced,my brother who i loved so very much was stealing , i felt like it was all my fault even if it truly wasnt. yet i couldnty help thinking. I know god loves me but the pain of what ive been through in my life hurts and now im still thinking about suicide and my brothers in prison. I looked up to my big bro but maybe people wouldnt care if i was gone. im getting help for my depression and i promise i will try!!

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Story posted on Friday, December 19th, 2008 and is filed under Loneliness, Sadness, Your Stories, Suicide, Struggles, Prayer, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

God Reached Me At My Lowest Point

“No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.”

[Isaiah 62:4 NIV]

Lissy writes:

Well this is my favorite verse in the entire world. I guess I should tell you why. I thught for a period in my life that life wasn’t worth living, and although I had people all around me telling me I was beautiful, deep down I didn’t believe it. Then at summer camp this past summer I said yes to God and resurrendered my life. If you’re reading this and you are struggling with suicide, get some help! I promise you, it’s not worth it.

Story posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Bible, God's Love, Hope, Loneliness, Your Stories, Struggles, Suicide, Conversions, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

From Homelessness to Salvation

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

[Philippians 4:13 NIV]

Richard H. writes:

I am a 56-year-old divorced man living in Florida.

I had a really messed up childhood, starting at the age of 3, when I was adopted. I felt unloved and unwanted from the very beginning, which resulted in a lot of trouble at school, in the service, and in my marriage of 12 years to my high school sweetheart, who divorced me in 1979.

I could not hold down a job. Every job I would get I would get fired or quit for one reason or another — but the real reason was drugs and alcohol.

Eventually I lost my apartment because I could not pay rent and ended up being on the street homeless. I stayed that way for 4 years.

I thought my life was over, and I contemplated suicide many times, but I didn’t want to go to hell so I decided against it. But I was extremely miserable and had no friends.

I finally got out of the homeless camp and broke into a warehouse, where I lived in a 12×12 room.

One night I was sitting outside my warehouse, drunk as could be, when a man leaving the corner bar came walking down my street. As he approached, I saw myself in him.

This part is hard to explain, but I will do the best I can. As he got closer, I started to weep and I cried out, “God! Help me! I cannot keep going this way! Just take me out of here! I don’t want to live any more!”

And for 20 minutes or so I wept on my knees till I was exhausted. Then I got up and flopped myself down on the old broken-down couch I used for a bed and drifted off to sleep.

At six o’clock in the morning, I was awakened by someone calling my name, “Richard, Richard, Richard, you
must stop drinking, you must stop smoking, and you must go back to church.”

And as he said that, a feeling of warm liquid flowed through my body, starting from my head to the bottoms of my feet, and I yelled out, “Thank you, Jesus!”

I knew instantly that Jesus Christ had healed me, and this was before I knew what any of this meant. But I knew that I would never need drugs or alcohol ever again! I knew it!

He put a love into me so amazing that there are no words to express it. He totally turned my whole life around.

I put my trust in him and asked him to lead me to the church he wanted me to be a member of, and he did. I asked him to find me a home and a job, and he did.

And the good news is I have never looked back. I have the same job and go to the same church that he led me to.

But that is not the best news. The best news is I know where I am going now when I leave this world — I’m going to heaven. And I know why I am here, and it’s to serve him — and I do with all my heart.

He is real! And if you don’t know him, I implore you to get to know him. He waits for you with open arms. He will be the best friend you will ever have, and he loves you very much.

God bless you! And thank you for taking the time to read my testimony.

And if you know of anyone who needs to hear this, please don’t wait! Send it to them. This might be the last chance they will have to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

Story posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Loneliness, Praise, God's Love, Hope, Your Stories, Conversions, Grace, Struggles, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Suicide, Life Verse. | 2 Comments »

My New Purpose in Life

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

[Acts 14:22 NIV]

Corinne R. writes:

I am the mom of Olivia Corinne Hoff, who passed away April 22, 2004. Olivia was only 14 years old. She died of a heart condition we knew nothing about, LQTS Elongated QT Syndrome, known as the silent killer of young adults.

I didn’t know how I would survive and live without my daughter. I highlighted this verse (Acts 14:22) because my daughter’s death is the most painful hardship I would ever have to endure in my life. I did think of committing suicide and going home to be with Olivia, but I knew this was not my purpose.

What was my purpose? How can there be a purpose for my life? How, with all my pain, my confusion, the huge hole in my heart, my lack of desire to go on, how can there be a purpose for my life?

Well, it has now been three years since the death of my only daughter, and here I am today sharing how God has rescued me and is revealing his purpose to me daily.

I now know that God is getting ready to put me on a journey I never thought I would go on — a journey of sharing my testimony and reaching out to other parents who have lost a child.

I believe with all of my heart that the Lord directs me every day of my life, he is in control of my life, he will show me how to honor my daughter’s memory. I just have to wait and listen.

“The best things in life are the result of being wounded. Wheat must be crushed before becoming bread, and incense must be burned by fire before its fragrance is set free. The earth must be broken with a sharp plow before being ready to receive the seed. And it is a broken heart that pleases God. Yes, the sweetest joys of life are the fruits of sorrow.”

Story posted on Monday, February 18th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Hope, Sadness, Death, Loneliness, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Verses, Suicide, Most Popular Stories. | 18 Comments »

Finding Treasures in Darkness [3:27]

Chris Thyberg, Associate Executive Director for American Bible Society, shares how sometimes God only gives us certain “treasures” when we are in the middle of “darkness”. He uses the example of his brother’s suicide and how while he grieved for a year, God revealed himself in a way he never could have done before.

Story posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 and is filed under Your Videos, Bible, ABS Stories, Suicide, Christian Families. | 1 Comment »

I Was Depressed and Suicidal

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

[Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV]

Shay H. writes:

God loves me in spite of my shortcomings; only he is perfect. He has shown me my heart and informed me that there are many people in this world but his plan would not do without me. That’s how much you and I mean to him. God doesn’t make mistakes.

About three years ago, God brought me out of a backsliding situation. I was divorced, abused, addicted to prescription drugs, a heavy drinker, as well as an adulterous woman and suicidal. I lost everything; I was on a path of destruction.

I was so depressed I couldn’t even put my feet on the ground to get out of bed; my children were suffering because of my actions. I remember crying out to God, saying if you will just put my feet on the ground, I will follow you all the days of my life.

So, he did … and I have been following him ever since. I no longer do any of the former things I did, I am a new creation. I even quit smoking in January 2007, without one relapse. He was my strength and still is and always will be.

I re-married my husband within 90 days of that prayer, and I have been given back abundantly more than I ever lost. God has done miracle after miracle. There are so many to list. The greatest of all is that his presence saturates my life in all aspects.

I always wanted a father-daughter dance cause I never knew my earthly father. So I wrote this to God my father: “Dear Daddy, I gently take each step here on earth, to one day dance with you gracefully in heaven.”

I look forward to that day, and I have God to thank for it.

To you and yours, blessings of peace,

Shay H.

Story posted on Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 and is filed under Praise, Hope, Drugs & Alcohol, Your Stories, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Suicide, Struggles. | 2 Comments »