Episode Summary: 

Continuing in our “Sacred Scar Story Series,” in this episode I chatted with Veronica Sites, who shared about the pain and wounds she endured that culminated in her believing the lies that she would be better off dead. She attempted to eliminate her life, but God had other plans. Now she shares the sacred scar that God is using to educate the church and leaders about how to respond in such a mental health crisis.

Quotables from the episode:

• If you have ever experienced depression or anxiety, or suffered the loss of a friend or loved one to death by suicide, then today is the perfect show for you.
• My guest today, Veronica Sites, is a first response crisis chaplain. She grew up in a family of first responders. And sadly, she lost a family member to death by suicide. This experience caused a shift in how she responded in such situations. But she also experienced some tragic life experiences which brought her to the point that she began to believe some lies that took her down the path to attempting to end her own life by suicide.
• When she woke up, she told a friend, “The Lord is going to use this for His glory. You just watch.” And that is what has happened, as she now serves as a first response crisis chaplain, and she tries to educate about suicide prevention.
• I no longer believe that my previous suicide attempt is my identity. I am first and foremost a child of God.
• My painful wounds that led to my desperation also made me forgiving and more merciful.
• Healing my wounds has caused me to have greater compassion and empathy for others who suffer.
• The enemy is relentless to get us to take his bait. Once I regained consciousness, I became angry that I believed the enemy’s lies.
• Victory is in the vulnerability with the Victor.
• The most unhealed wounds are usually the invisible ones.
• God can be trusted with our vulnerability.
• Our painful wounds can be both destructive and productive. We get to choose what result they will have by how we respond to our hurts.
• Can we listen to others as if there is something to learn?

Scripture References:

• Psalm 34:18  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
• Proverbs 17:17 says “A brother is born for a time of adversity.” 
• Proverbs 27:17 “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other”.

Recommended Resources: 

• Local Suicide Prevention Hotline: dial 988
• TALK Suicide Hotline (800) 273-8255
• Suicide Text Line: 741-741  https://www.crisistextline.org/textline
• Hope Line Suicide Prevention Network (800) 784-2433
• Elijah App –helps people struggling to reach their support system with one text
• Hope When You Have Thoughts of Suicide - Episode 22
• Hope for Recovery for Suicide Attempt Survivors - Episode 49
• Love Me to Life: Suicide Recovery at Church by Veronica Sites
• Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson 
• The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms  
• Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
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