“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you his kindness and have mercy on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you peace.” — (Numbers 6:24-26)

Just the other day, my sister received a chilling phone call about a young man she had known since birth—the nephew of a close friend. At age 19, he committed suicide—a single gunshot through his mouth. No chance of survival. The family is scrambling to answer questions. Why? Who knew? The depressed teen had been talking to an uncle who just thought he was saying things to get attention—like his mother and sister. The uncle’s wife swears she didn’t know it was that serious. Unable to get help, this young man ended his life.

In my own family, my father’s cousin was found dead in his truck by suicide. Why? Was he upset? He had so many friends. He seemed fine. In my own life, a good friend, my high school crush had been playing Russian roulette with a gun that left him brain dead. Why? Why didn’t he give himself a chance for life to get better?

With Florida legislators passing a law making it illegal for school staff to assist students with anything related to being gay, people are projecting that suicide deaths will spike—again. For those of us who are empaths and sensitive to energy and emotions, this is overwhelming. The sadness, hurt and pain floating through the ethers is very difficult to handle. You need more than mantras, candles, and yoga. To survive this world, we need power. We need a savior. We need Jesus.

As one who has gained some victory over negative thinking and spiritual oppression, I feel directed to offer you some strategies that I have personally used as a believer in the supernatural healing power of God through Christ, the anointed one passed on to us as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Even if you are feeling just a little down, low energy with a bit of the blues—not suicidal—these same strategies will help you prevent falling into despair. At the end of the day, we all need to be encouraged. We all need a kind word and compassion. We need the love of Christ to flood our souls like never before.

I am simply offering you this list of activities and resources as a means to supplement the self-care strategies you might already be using to calm and center yourself. I cannot guarantee you any results. I cannot guarantee that 25 angels will show up and give you heavenly hugs. I cannot guarantee that you will immediately feel better. But, you might. You might experience a miracle.

What I can say, after saying these prayers and scriptures, is that you will get up and do something—wash your car, clean the kitchen, take a nap, eat a snack, make a phone call—something simple. Step-by-step, minute- by-minute, second-by-second, you won’t feel so sad. Your mind won’t race so much. You’ll get the ability to breathe and focus in the moment. You might not experience big major changes, but you’ll live. You’ll live to see another beautiful day. You’ll breathe, live, and eventually find your flow. One day at a time.

11 STRATEGIES FOR PEACE OF MIND

So, let’s start. Do. Read. Listen. Repeat this entire sequence for three days in a row—whether you are a believer in Christ or not—and let’s see what happens. “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you his kindness and have mercy on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

1. Say the name of Jesus 21 times. Why? “God raised him to the highest place. God made his name greater than every other name so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10, NCV).
2. Repeat this scripture 3 times: “I will not die, but live, and I will tell what the Lord has done” (Psalm 118:17, NCV).
3. Repeat this affirmation 3 times: “God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
4. Repeat this scripture 3 times: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).
5.  Watch this quirky and funny video: My 7 Step Reset Routine for When I Feel OVERWHELMED by Evelyn from The Internets
6. Take a walk in the sun. Get up and start moving.
7. Talk to somebody. Call a friend. Join a group. Sit in a public space and speak to someone or help them do something. Work extra hours at your job. Get some form of human interaction. Try therapy with BetterHelp or another online provider. Check your health insurance for free mental health resources that mIght be included with your insurance coverage.
8. Take a break from all social media and negative entertainment. Stop listening to loud grungy music. Stop watching tv shows and movies with violence, cursing, supernatural beings, demons or overly sexual content. Stop playing violent video games. Choose peaceful, funny, inspirational or wholesome entertainment.

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Inspirational YouTube Channels:

Dr. Tracey Marks, Psychiatrist

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrTraceyMarks

WANT TO START IN THERAPY?

Here’s a convenient and affordable option for Dr. Marks with BetterHelp:

https://Betterhelp.com/drmarks

Coffee and Conversations with LaKisha

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXQpH5fkmiYgipbtKi7Wukw

 Dharius Daniels TV

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCexLpWnpWeHGlrlqywU3bWA

Paul Eugene Fitness

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOncjSYWSfEgoIenG888Cnw

HINDZ

https://www.youtube.com/c/HINDZSIGHT

IN HINDZSIGHT APPLE PODCAST

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/in-hindzsight/id1504819920

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Ashan R. Hampton is the author of several Christian inspirational books: “Prayers & Confessions for Modern Christian Women” (2020), “Still Single Over 40: Reclaim Your Love Life” (2019), “Prayers & Confessions for Teens and Young Adults” (2018), “MCW Living Single Bible Readings” (2017), “Prayers & Confessions for Everyday Victory” (2017), “Before You Start Dating Again” (2016), “Some Bitter, Some Sweet: Becoming a Single Woman God Can Use” (2016), “Soul Thoughts: Poems & Essays” (2015), “Girl Please…Know When to Let That Man Go” (2015). Visit our website for ordering information at www.mcwwisdom.com/books.

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