This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and it’s been both challenging and beautiful.

Challenging: just barely even teenagers, yet so many young people are hurting. already. Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death among those 10 to 24 years old? Chances are, you know someone who desperately needs encouragement.

Beautiful: seeing hearts open up, release brokenness, smile, find a friend.

People say suicide is selfish. Really? People who wrestle with suicide aren’t thinking about themselves: they feel too worthless. They feel rejected. They feel lost. They feel unwanted. They feel like failure. They feel alone.

That’s not selfishness. That’s hopelessness.

Jesus didn’t come for the healthy, but the unhealthy.

It’s so easy to be with the people who say the right things, act the right way, have the right talents, wear the right stuff. But if you don’t fit in that crowd, please don’t worry. You’re in good company. There are so many people out there who feel exactly the same way you do.

Love.

Love is the right thing, the right way, the right talent, the right stuff.

Everything else is a fleeting nothing.

Be love. Beloved. Be loved.

You are beautiful. You are unique. You are worthwhile. You matter. “You are His masterpiece.” Ephesians 2:10

Below is a short animation one of my students showed me. I thought it was terrific, and I hope it blesses you too!