Elephant Room + Bullying & Suicide

I've noticed that during these Elephant Room topics, you can always hear a pin drop in the room. The case was no different last night when we tackled bullying & suicide. I think that those of us who have been out of high school for awhile tend to overlook the bullying issue because it really just wasn't a big thing for us. Sure people were mean and hateful but there weren't "easy ways" of bullying someone online. The measures that some people go to in order to show hate has become extreme and needs to stop.

Nowadays, one smile, one helping hand, one act of kindness can impact a student's life forever. Never underestimate the difference you can make in someone else's life.

There are three lies that the enemy always wants to plant in our minds- the lies that Nobody cares, everyone is better off without you, & nobody loves me.

Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary problem.

Someone commits suicide every 13 minutes. It's the 3rd leading cause of death.

"Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-why die before your time?" Ecclesiastes 7:17

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Jesus went through the greatest amount of pain and suffering so that he could comfort us in ours.

If God didn't care about you, there would have been no cross.

"Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them." Luke 6:31-32

You can either speak LIFE into someone or you TAKE life from them. Our words have a lasting effect on people. Out of the overflow of our hearts, our mouths speak. Where's your heart?

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

 We can't expect people to act like they love Jesus if they don't have a relationship with Him. When people who don't know Jesus say & do hurtful things, it's because their heart is not right.

"An eye for an eye makes the world go blind."

Bullying is ONE step away from suicide. If you're a victim of bullying:

1. TELL someone!
2. Walk away
3. Find a friend to help stand up for you!
4. Defend yourself
5. Pray for them

God died for the victim AND the bully!

*If you're a victim, the National Suicide Hotline can help you! 1(800) 273-8255 or visit remedylive.com

Jesus DIED for YOU so that YOU could LIVE for HIM!

Don't allow the enemy to steal, kill, & destroy your life! God creates everything and everyone for a specific purpose! He's not done with you yet!