All the lonely nights.

All the panic, anxiety and soul-crushing depression.

All the moments when I thought ending my life would be better than continuing it.

All the pain, discomfort, and sadness.

They all led me here… and I’m grateful.

Whatever you are going through at this time, regardless of whether it’s spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, or anything else: JUST KEEP GOING.

We don’t know how the future will look. We don’t know what blessings God has in store for us.

Our Heavenly Parents can turn any disappointment into an appointment as we trust in Them, grow through the pain, and never give up.

I believe in you and your future.

It’s 10,000 times brighter than the pain you’re experiencing now.

I promise.

When I contemplated suicide at the age of 19, I did so because I couldn’t see any other way to end the emotional and mental pain I was facing.

I thought my life was a disaster.
I thought I was a failure.
My days and nights were crippled by anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

5 minutes before I was planning on ending it all, I thought I would call a friend.

If they answered, I would stay.
If they didn’t, I’d end it.

5 years later, I’m forever grateful my friend answered.

5 years later, I’m forever grateful for God’s grace and mercy.

5 years later, I’m forever grateful I went through what I did so that I can empathize with and help those who face similar challenges.

5 years later, I want anyone reading this to know that I understand your pain if you’re contemplating suicide; but I want you to know that WE NEED YOU HERE.

Most people end their lives because they feel isolated or like they are a burden. I promise you are not a burden, and I promise you have people who care about you.

Stay with us a little longer, and I promise that sooner or later you’ll be able to connect the dots.

Call for help.
Reach out.
You are needed.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
#SuicidePreventionMonth

A couple of nights ago I felt like a failure.

I felt dejected, alone, and like I didn’t matter at all.

I didn’t think I deserved love, or compassion, or happiness.

It was really tough.

As I was feeling things things, a quote from a TV show came to my mind…

“Will there always be storms?”

“Yes. But that means there will always be rainbows too.”

My brief message today is for anyone out there who is going through their own storm right now.

I understand how painful it may be, but keep pressing on.

Look for the rainbows.
Outlast the depression and despair.
Say a prayer.
Ask for help (my wife was my rock).
If needed, take your medication.

Remember that this feeling won’t last forever.

Hope you have a better weekend.

From the ages of 12-17 I dealt with pornography addiction.

I’ve never talked about this publicly — but in the hopes of lighting the path a little brighter for those who need it, I feel compelled to be vulnerable.

I got involved in it because I was severely bullied. Day in and day out I experienced emotional pain, soul-crushing loneliness, and a feeling that I’d never be good enough in life.

I turned to pornography because I thought it would fill the emotional space that was empty within me.

It didn’t.

I turned to pornograpy because I thought it would help me learn what love was, because I didn’t feel any.

It didn’t.

Pornography did the exact opposite of what I thought it would do.

It taught me what true love WASN’T.
It left me feeling MORE lonely and forgotten.
It made me feel shame, remorse, and guilt.

It wasn’t until I started building my personal relationship with Jesus Christ that my eyes were opened and I learned who I was and what my future could look like.

Christ taught me what TRUE love is.
Christ helped me OVERCOME my addiction.
Christ loved me THROUGH my pain.
Christ SAVED and REDEEMED me.

To anyone out there who is bound by the chains of addiction, sin, or negative habits — reach up and reach out. Jesus Christ died for you. If you were the only person on earth, He would’ve still gone to Gethsamane and Calvary for YOU.

Your Heavenly Parents love you and want you to come back to Them.

Repentance isn’t an event, it’s a process — but it’s the most beautiful and merciful process we could ever need in this world.

In addition, there are amazing professional resources as well you can access to help you.

I’m your friend. Jesus is your friend. We believe in you. Keep going. Don’t give up.

To whom it may concern (yep, totally original),

I hope you find sincerity and honesty in these words, as my intent is to help you better understand me and my friends.

As much as you’d like me to think my mental challenges are “all in my head” and can be healed by “just thinking more positively,” it’s actually more complicated than that.

I’m not making excuses, or using this as a crutch to keep me from reaching my fullest potential. Quite the opposite, actually.

I’m confident these challenges are helping me become more empathetic, understanding, and loving towards those who struggle with any disability.

In fact, I know they are.

I invite you to take some time and learn about those who fight these battles within their mind and soul. We’re stronger than you think… and we need all the advocates we can get!

Sincerely,

Your friend Drew

Friends, we need ALL of your help to #endthestigma that mental illness means mental failure, mental weakness, or mental ignorance.

Just as we wouldn’t tell someone with a cancer diagnosis, “good luck, I’m sure you’ll figure it out on your own,” we need to come together and help those suffering with dark craters in their minds.

Here are some wonderful things you can say to someone struggling.

“I don’t know exactly what you are going through, but I am 100% here for you. Whatever you need, I am here.”

“You are not a failure. You are not a loser. Most people would crack under the mental and emotional pressure you face daily. You are incredible.

“I’m bringing you over your favorite ice cream and we’ll just hang out. If you want to talk we’ll talk. If you want to just cry and cuddle up in a ball, I’ll be there to comfort you.”

Here are some things you should NOT say.

“It’s all in your head…. stop complaining.”

“Have you taken your meds today? Cause you’re acting really annoyed.”

“Just pray more. Obviously this is a faith issue.”

We can do this TOGETHER, but it will take a team effort.

If we had to eat our words, would they make us sick?

I gotta admit, sometimes mine would.

Not only are the words we say to and about others impactful, but more importantly the words we say to and about ourselves can create a life of misery or a life of prosperity.

I hope today we can choose to speak kindness; kindness into others’ worlds, and kindness into our own worlds.

Try it and see how you feel.