WE SEE YOU, WE HEAR YOU, WE FEEL YOUR PAIN

‘WE SEE YOU, WE HEAR YOU, WE FEEL YOUR PAIN
GOD WILL AND IS FOR YOU
(JUST THE WAY YOU ARE)

This is the last article of the series focusing on ‘Suicidals’ __their plight, seen and unseen; how to help and personal insights for ALL of us should be ‘THE VILLAGE’ in Caring and Doers ….it could happen to any of us!!!!

As I sit here typing and praying that GOD is guiding my thoughts_actual thoughts that I would hope someone would do for me or my loved ones in times of distress (whether suicidal or just plain having a ‘pity party’), my heart comes to the following keywords for sub-headliners:

SHOW NO PITY but GENUINE CONCERN’ ;
‘DO NOT PREACH but be brief/to the point;
‘ALLOW YOUR BODY LANGUAGE TO SHOW WHAT YOUR HEART IS SAYING’ ;
‘LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN’ ;
‘PRAY WITH the PERSON !’ and…BE CONSISTENT
…not just a one-time endeavor.

Whether you are familiar with the person in need OR just met them, Introduce yourself as a ‘very concerned person who just wants to know “I want you to know if I can help you with anything, I would love to share with you what has been shared and shown to me in my life”…
those of another you have experienced with)…this sets the groundwork’s intent and tone that will hopefully ease their ‘suspicions’ of being doubtful about trusting you. Most people are not comfortable talking about themselves or their situations.

When you do have their permission for this dialogue, be brief for you want each sentence to be very meaningful, absorbed in full comprehension….perhaps only 2 sentences at a time….pausing patiently giving the person time to comment. If a lot of tension is being seen by their
body language, just sit, and change the conversation to the weather, nature, or some other easy-going pleasant items (not politics/gossip, etc.)

Remember your new, first conversations should not indicate that ‘the job is over’…end with a question,

“Do you mind if I pray for US?”
“Can we continue to see each other?” “WHEN?”

FOLLOW UP …Take advantage of ‘running into each other on an unscheduled time’…Make this second encounter very casual, over a meal/picnic/ before getting into deeper conversations that will have to grow for more ‘feedback’ and trust in YOU.

As you go step-by-step, you don’t want to deny their distress or ask things like, “How could you possibly feel that way?” or “Why would you want to die? You have so much to live for.” What might seem like a small fix to you can seem insurmountable to someone in a crisis!!!

As you engage with these encounters, Encourage them to talk about it. When they pinpoint their feelings (no one cares; no one loves me; I don’t love myself; no one can fix me or change me; I’m scared/lost/stupid/empty, etc)…… THIS IS THE TIME for YOUR REASURRANCE to relate ‘WHO’ helped you and HOW they helped you …and of course, here is time to relate to how JESUS handled those who persecuted HIM, …

THE KEY:

‘JESUS showed us how to handle every mood, temptation, pain, loneliness, rejection by ‘LOVING THEM ANYWAY’…FOR THE KIND OF STEADFAST, DEPENDABLE LOVE OUR FATHER HAS FOR US…’

Bring in other (specialized, dependable persons {clergy, counselors, AND those who have been in the SAME DISTRESSFUL MODE and have overcome with a positive outlook on LIFE… It should be noted that all of us need to have OR find people who are positive and live the Christ-like
life…so if You can introduce a peer that demonstrates these qualities to become a ‘new’ friend…do so…{‘Birds of a feather, flock together’}

Use lemons for LEMONADE; Embrace the thorns and Roses; Know that after every Storm, there is a Rainbow; Being at PEACE, HARMONY when you realize WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOUR SCARS, FAULTS, AND THE FINAL OUTCOMES OF THEIR EXISTENCE…

ALWAYS…ALWAYS…LET THEM KNOW THE HELP HOTLINE NUMBER
{988 lifeline} …a 24 hour, multiple languages};
YOUR NUMBERS ENGAGE THEIR CLOSEST RELATIVES, THEIR
TEACHERS, THEIR FRIENDS’ telephones/addresses numbers.