Four *Lies* That Convince Us We Are Better Off Dead

Back in May, I wouldn't have minded dying. I realized this while I was sitting next to my wife on a beautiful sunny day and still felt alone and miserable.

I don't know if I have the energy to always feel this way... I thought to myself.

While the physical threat of Covid-19 is real and has affected millions of individuals, what has received less attention is the emotional threat that Covid-19 has caused as a byproduct of trying to prevent the physical damage.

Isolation led to loneliness.

Loneliness led to insecurities.

Insecurities led to depression.

Depression led to laziness.

Laziness led to feeling miserable.

Feeling miserable led to asking the question...

Do I even want to be here anymore?

This is a question that many individuals—especially those a part of the younger generation— wrestle with. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology, "Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults age 15-to-24-year-olds (source here)."

I would argue from personal experience that there are exponentially more who wrestle with the question "Do I Even Want To Be Here" than who actually kill themselves. Because of this, I want to help hurting people find hope. I have created this blog so that both Christians and Non-Christians can find hope.

While I am not an expert on the subject, I am certified in Mental Health First Aid and have been studying and walking with individuals who battle mental illness for four years. Along with this, I speak from a place of experience. I myself have wrestled with every single one of these lies.

*If You Are Contemplating Killing Yourself, Please Call 800-273-8255 or 911 And Receive Professional Help.*

1) I Am A Mistake

What Does Science Say?: Scientists believe the probability of YOU being born is 1 in 400 trillion (source here). You were not accidentally created. YOU were that ONE worthy of a chance at life. You were given a 1 in 400 trillion chance to make it here and you did. There are zero mistakes about it. Even if your parents were not planning on conceiving, it is a blessing that you were chosen to represent the 400 trillion as a living being.

What Does God Say?: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16, NIV)."

God chose YOU to represent a small part of HIM on this planet. He crafted you perfectly for the role He destined you to fulfill. God does not make mistakes (see here).

You. Are. Not. A. Mistake.

2) I Am A Failure

What Does Science Say?: We would never grow without failing. In fact "Scientific progress is built on failure (source