Momentum For Monday, September 11th 2023

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:20)

In August of 2020, I felt lead to write a second devotional. This time though, I felt like God wanted me to write all that he taught me in my journey of mental health (battle to mental health would be a more accurate depiction though). While title's usually come last, I knew to call it "The Daily Dose" before I every wrote a single word. I was hesitant because my first book wasn't a great success for several reasons (one being that it released in March earlier that year), but I knew to be obedient in faith.

I set a deadline for January because that month is normally a battle for people with that suffer from depression. The plan was to have a soft email launch instead of a published book in order to minimize cost. Work began and was going as scheduled until the final edits were being made and prepared.

In December, just a few weeks before the launch, my family received tragic news that another family member had taken his own life. I can't begin to describe the devastation of losing a core member of my extended family. To make matters worse, it was the 2nd time suicide struck our family (a 3rd time would occur after this triggering even more pain, but that's too many details for today's post).

In the midst of mourning and processing everything, I felt like there was no way I could move forward with the release of the devotional. If I can't even help my own family, there’s no way other people will be helped, so what's the point? But in a moment of clarity that I believe was from the Holy Spirit, another thought came- how could I not move forward with this?

Pain has a way of muting purpose and possibility with faith. The shock of loss leaves us paralyzed without a way forward. What we thought we knew is no longer and it leaves so many questions on the future.

The devil thrives when we are muted, paralyzed, and isolated. For so long I kept silent in struggles due to shame and I knew that I had keep going with this devotional. So, I moved forward with the release on January 2021.

It wasn't anything great or earth-shattering, but I felt like I stayed obedient and preserved when pain had hit an all-time high in my life. For a long time I didn’t do anything else with the project until I came across someone interested in the idea. It wasn't until 2022 that I signed a deal with a publisher for the book that released yesterday, September 10th, "World Suicide Prevention Day."

The aim is simple- to help people. We all struggle with mental health in our own way, some of us more than others. If you or someone you know could use some help and encouragement- never hesitate to do so. Let’s encourage and give life to as many people as possible. Maybe we can prevent tragedy by doing something good.

“ Now we can look forward to the salvation God has promised us. There is no longer any room for doubt, and we can tell others that salvation is ours, for there is no question that he will do what he says. In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good.”

(Hebrews 10:23-24)