Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook (70 page)

“In you, O L
ORD
, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me”

(P
SALM
31:1-3;
PRAY VERSES
1-9,14-24).

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed”

(P
SALM
57:1;
ALSO READ
P
SALM
27
AND
28).

“My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life”

(P
SALM
119:50).

“Sing to the L
ORD
, you saints of his; praise his holy name…Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”

(P
SALM
30:4-5).

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

(1 J
OHN
3:1).

— “Why do I feel the need to hurt myself?”

— “What do I think I will accomplish through this?”

— “According to God, is this the truth or a lie?”

— “Are my actions and desires reflecting my true identity in Christ, or are they coming out of my past experiences?”

— “What effect would harming myself have on those who care about me?”

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place”

(P
SALM
51:6).

— “I’m worth being treated with goodness and kindness—I am a child of God.”

— “God loves me and has a purpose for my life. I am also loved by others.”

— “Because God has a plan for me, I will show kindness and respect to the body He gave me.”

— “Even though I can’t see the future, I will walk by faith, not by sight.”

“The L
ORD
himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”

(D
EUTERONOMY
31:8).

— Read aloud positive letters and notes from friends and family.

— Review positive thoughts about why it’s worth it to heal.

— Recall those who believe in you and your growth.

— Remember what others have said about why there is hope for you.

— Rehearse God’s promise.

Do not…

— act on impulse.

— take any action that is harmful or even potentially harmful to yourself, others, or property.

— drive your automobile if there is a possibility you will drive recklessly.

— act rashly.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver”

(P
ROVERBS
25:11).

— Would God approve of this?

— Would the people I love approve of this?

— Would the people who care about me approve of this?

If the answer is no, then you must not do it. If you would hurt innocent people whom you care about, then you must not do it. No rationalizations or excuses—just
do not do it
.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised”

(H
EBREWS
10:36).

After going through the steps above, if you are still in a crisis, reach out and call others who will be helpful and truthful. They can help you regain perspective. Continue to go down your list of phone numbers until you have reached someone and state directly, “I am calling because I am in an emotional crisis.” Then honestly discuss the feelings and events that led to the crisis and possible solutions. Continue making phone calls, repeatedly, if necessary, until the crisis is resolved, no matter what time of day or night.

Numbers to Call for Help

Friend ______________________________________

Relative _____________________________________

Friend ______________________________________

Relative _____________________________________

Friend _______________________________________

Therapist ____________________________________

Doctor _______________________________________

Church _______________________________________

Pastor ________________________________________

Crisis hotline ________________________________

Suicide prevention 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

(E
CCLESIASTES
4:10).

If you are still in crisis after completing these steps, take action to ensure your physical and emotional safety by getting yourself to a safe environment in which you are not alone.

— Make arrangements to get together with a friend or supportive person.

— Go to a public place where harming yourself is difficult.

— If all else fails, go to a hospital emergency room and tell the staff you are at risk of harming yourself. Make it clear that you do not want to check in, but that you simply want to sit in the waiting room for a little while so you will not act upon your impulses. Have hospital staff sit with you, or speak with the chaplain.

— If you have honestly worked through these steps and are still in trouble, then you are truly in a crisis situation that may require hospitalization for your protection.

Even if you do not want to live, all you need is the willingness to be made willing. God can use the tiniest thread of hope as your lifeline out of the ditch of despair.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me”

(P
SALM
51:12).

Lord, make me willing to be…

“O God, I’m at the end of all my resources. My heart feels overwhelmed with despair.”

God’s Response

“Unless the L
ORD
had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O L
ORD
, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul”

(P
SALM
94:17-19).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, that I have reached the end of my self-effort.”

“I see no hope and have no one to help me. My mind is made up that death is the only answer.”

God’s Promise

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you”

(J
AMES
4:7-8).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, that evil has no power in Your presence, and that I am safe when I focus on You.”

“I am not even willing to try. I have no desire to go on living.”

God’s Promise

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”

(I
SAIAH
41:10).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, for Your supernatural power that can touch and change my heart.”

“God, I feel so completely alone. Can anything relieve this terrible loneliness?”

God’s Promise

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”

(I
SAIAH
43:2).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, that I am never alone. Thank You for being with me even when I don’t feel that You are walking with me.”

“I have even passed the point of tears. My heart seems to have no room for forgiveness—for myself, for others, or even for You.”

God’s Promise

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy”

(P
ROVERBS
28:13).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, that as I confess my anger and bitterness, I receive cleansing from You. Then I’m able to forgive those who have hurt me deeply.”

“Even if I could forgive, I cannot accept these miserable circumstances that will never change.”

God’s Promise

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”

(P
HILIPPIANS
4:13).

Prayer

“Thank You, God, for giving me the desire and power to accept life as it now is and let go of the things I do not understand.”

“How can I be grateful? I could never feel gratitude for my life or what I endure.”