I heard a statistic that 25% of young people (under 25 years of age) are feeling hopeless during this time of social isolation -hopeless enough to end their life. If this is you, I encourage you to reach out! Reach out to a medical professional (suicide hotline). Reach out to anyone on your phone contact who is a trusted friend (a friend who is worth their salt will spend quality time when asked). Reach out to your Creator (“soon to be King” David gives us an example in this passage below of how to approach God when life is bleak).

I’d like to share a personal story with the hope of encouraging some young person, somewhere. Shortly after I turned 15, I prayed a prayer that changed my life. Feeling hopeless about how I fit in socially, I asked God for His help. I said, “Lord, you know I will always trust you as my Savior and Lord (even if you don’t answer this request). What I’m asking, though, is that you show me (in a tangible way), that you are as involved today as you were in Bible-writing days. I mean, You appeared to those people in miraculous ways for a purpose- does this still apply today? If so, please show me. If you are indifferent to what we do now, I’m planning to look for closer friendships with those in the “world” vs. the church since I feel pretty hopeless. I would like to fit in somewhere- even if it means disobeying my parents. Amen.”

God answered my prayer with not only ONE miracle that summer (I had signed up for a summer project to tell other teenagers about Christ Jesus the LORD, through Teen Missions, INTL), but He showed up with THREE miracles. Each miracle was more convincing than the one before. I was fully assured, by the end of the summer, that God was working in my life at that moment, just as strongly as He did back in Bible times. I was also convinced that He knew me and my situation, personally. He spoke directly to the underlying need of my heart and filled it.

I implore you to remember that your life is not only precious but chosen by God. When you receive His Son, you are made holy through Christ’s provision on the cross. Do you “know” His affection for you-as one who is dearly loved? (Colossians 3:12)- Teresa ❤️

Psalm 34: 1-10. (ESV)

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

FootnotesPsalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet