This Is Not The End

This is not the end …

This is not even close to the end …

I understand it feels like the end - You think that it’s the end

But this is not the end …

Imagine I am sitting across from you right now

Open your eyes wide and look at me

Reach over and grab my hand

Take a deep breath

Focus on every word that follows because this is so important to you, and to me

Even though your mind is spinning, relax for a moment, and just focus on my words

Take another deep breath … exhale … relax

I can tell you are in the dark place

I have been to the dark place myself

It’s the worst place to be – but it won’t get any worse tomorrow

Yes, tomorrow – because this is not the end

Don’t believe that you will feel this bad forever – you won’t – this is the worst and it can, and will get better

Just focus on getting to tomorrow

This is not the end …

In the dark place, you can’t trust your feelings because they are running out of control but eventually the turmoil will stop and peace will return

You also can’t trust your thinking because your mind is being messed up by your emotions

So, I’m asking you to trust me – and trust every word I say - I swear what I’m telling you is true based on long life of ups and downs and one trip to dark place you find yourself in right now

Take another deep breath …. exhale

Yes, you are angry – and you have every right to be

People can be mean, stupid, vengeful, and uncaring

They have hurt you badly and you are so angry with them

But the anger now has been turned inward on yourself

However, the problem is with them – not you

These people with still be awful tomorrow and the day after that

You can’t change that – but don’t let the awful people make you hate yourself – Do not give them that power over you

Let the anger inside you flow outward

Slam your fist on the table – scream if you need to

Just as you need to exhale – release some of the pressure that’s been building inside you

This is not the end …

This is about you, your life, your well-being - not them

So let’s focus on you

You may feel hopeless – you may even think you are hopeless

That’s how you ended up in the dark place – that’s how I got there

But you do have hope – you are not hopeless – there is always hope available if you what to grasp it

There are people, good people, who will help you get your hope back

This is not the end …

In the darkness, all you see is darkness

But your world has not come crashing down – It’s still there, you just can’t see it in the darkness

Your life has value, which you will see once you get out of the dark place

There is a future and it’s not far away                    

But in the darkness, there is no light

Once the light is turned on, you can see things as they are – not just the darkness

Just turn on the light – look at the world around you, not the things in the bad place

Focus on what is going on in the outside – not the pain on the inside

Look beyond this moment – and then begin move forward to get out of the dark place

Get to a place outside the darkness

This is not the end …

Now, I will ask you to begin to move past the dark place and into the light

I want you to ask God to help you leave the darkness

I doesn’t matter if you have never prayed before, it doesn’t matter if it’s been a long time since you prayed - It doesn’t even matter if you doubt that  God exists

And most importantly, it doesn’t matter if you’ve prayed in the past but have given up on God

Reach out to God right now, tell Him how badly you hurt -Tell Him how angry you are – and cry out and ask Him to help you

And I assure you – with everything fiber of my being – that you will receive help – that you will feel cared for and you will start moving out of the dark place  

Pray now, then resume reading this

And now, find someone to talk to about what you are going through and how you feel

Call, your best friend – or call the person who is the most kind, caring person you know

Tell them you urgently need to talk to them - And once again, they will listen - trust me on this

Yes, there are bad people who hurt you – but there are good people who will help you – you just need to ask – in the darkness you can’t see us but we are here – we are everywhere – just ask - just please ask

If you don’t want to talk to someone you know – call the largest church near you and tell them you need to talk to a pastor, now - They will listen and they will help you

If you have no one you feel comfortable talking to then call  800-273-8255

This is not the end …

Tomorrow may not be a good day, but it will be a better day – please trust me on this - this is not the end ….