When you feel at the bottom with nowhere to go, turn to the Lord.

Emmilee S. Hillier

Empty. Forgotten. Worthless. Defeated. Hopeless. Alone.

I feel all these things when I’m lying awake at night wondering why. Why am I even here? Why am I still alive? I wonder if death would be the best option.

I’ll put on that fake smile every morning, so people don’t ask questions and assume that nothing is wrong. I wear it as a mask to hide who I really am and what I’m really feeling. I feel alone. I feel like I’m the only person in the world that I can have a real conversation with, because I feel like I’m the only one who will ever truly understand what is going on in my mind. No one else knows what it feels like to feel completely broken and as fragile as a piece of thin glass. Nobody knows.

Or so I thought.

I have found several people who are going through the same thing as me. They felt the same feelings of emptiness, being forgotten, worthlessness, being defeated, hopelessness, and above all, loneliness. Depression is something that happens a lot. But God’s Word has really helped me through my struggle to overcome my depression. I have always tried to turn to the Bible for help in my times of need.

When these feelings come on me, I have a couple of passages that I turn to. The very first passage I think of is, “ ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse has given me so much comfort when I’m feeling depressed or alone. It reminds me that my life is in God’s hands and that I should never worry or stress about the future because God has a plan for me. For you too! This passage has so much meaning to me and has helped me through so much that I felt that it would be an insult not to choose it for my confirmation verse. It was a no-brainer.

Another passage that I turn to when I’m having some of my worst days is, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:18,19). This is such a heartwarming passage for anyone, not just people who are suffering from depression. This passage has lifted me up and brought me to a better place when I was almost to the point of no return.

I never felt comfortable talking to people about my feelings. I’m still not. In fact, I hate it more than anything, so the Bible is something that is very easy for me to turn to.

So, if you’re ever feeling empty, forgotten, worthless, defeated, hopeless, or alone, just remember that there are people out there who know what you are feeling. They can help you. There are people who love you, and they are there for you. Most of all, God is there for you. He will never leave you, and he will never let you fall.

If you are feeling depressed and think that the only way out is by dying, please go seek help for yourself. There are people who can help. There is still hope.

You are not alone.

EXTRA CONTENT

Highlighting teen mental health

To help raise awareness and funds for teen mental health, Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, Wis., hosted “Tosses for Teens,” a cornhole tournament fundraiser.

“Mental health is something that affects so many people, especially in high school,” says Ryann Burger, a senior at Lakeside and one of the student coordinators of the tournament. “We chose it because many people who struggle with mental illness believe that they are alone and do not realize how many people are like them. Letting these people know they are not alone and there are others who want to help is so important.”

As part of the event, members of the National Honor Society put together a video to create awareness for mental health needs in students.

The tournament raised $3,600, which was given to Christian Family Solutions to support its Member Assistance Program. Through this program, Christian Family Solutions offers up to five free sessions of Christian counseling to teens who are struggling with issues such as anxiety and depression. Meetings often take place via a secure video program.

Christian Family Solutions provides this opportunity to qualifying students in all of the area Lutheran high schools and the synod’s two preparatory schools. Dan Nommensen, director of the program, says that Christian Family Solutions worked with hundreds of students last fall.

“I knew there were always people who struggled with anxiety, but I never knew how many really do,” says Burger. “This whole event really opened my eyes to what I can do for other people who maybe just need a friend.”

Learn more at christianfamilysolutions.org about the Member Assistance Program.

Author: Emmilee Hillier
Volume 107, Number 03
Issue: March 2020

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