Her Anger Gets in the Way

Have you ever wanted to do something big in your life but the people around you told you that you couldn’t do it or that it was impossible? That’s exactly what Jasmine is up against. Jasmine’s mom and some of her friends are telling her she can’t become what she wants to be. They tell her, “You can’t do this.” Jasmine wants to be a social worker for kids in foster care. She’s been there and gone through what they are going through and wants to give them hope. Jasmine’s adopted mom thinks her anger gets in the way.

I believe Jasmine can deal with her anger, get healing and then pass on what’s she learned to those she wants to help. She will be able to speak with the authority of Jesus Christ working in her life. The foster kids are more likely to listen to her than others who haven’t been through the same experience.

Peer to Peer: Messages of Hope for Jasmine

We received some encouraging messages from Mariah, Nadege, Pastor Wes, and Lenny, to reassure Jasmine that she can get help for her anger and follow her dreams.

Share Your Story about Anger

Mariah went through some major challenges. She had a lot of anger and rage because of issues with her family and older sister. The drug abuse in her family really affected her and made her want to spread awareness about drug addiction. Mariah was asked to speak to the Freshman class in the high school she was graduating from. She took the opportunity and was able to share her story, which really helped in her healing process.

Follow Your Dreams

Nadege advised Jasmine to: “Follow your dreams! Follow your heart!” She said, put God first and allow Him to work in you. Then there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. If God wants you to be a social worker, God will help and heal you! You will become the best social worker out there!

Reading God’s Word is your Pillar for Strength

Michelle said, reading God’s word is going to be the pillar Jasmine needs for strength. She shared 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Work on Fear Issues First

Pastor Wes said he adopted 2 young girls who were really struggling. They were dealing with bipolarism, in trouble with the law, and failing in school. He said what they dealt with first was the fear they were experiencing. They worked on the fear of rejection, the fear of abandonment, fear of loss, fear of failure…all those types of fears. After working through the fears, they worked on anger issues. Now, they are grown, one of them is a Guardian ad Litem and attorney and the other works in childcare, both graduated Valedictorians and are leading successful lives. Pastor Wes, said, you can do it too, Jasmine!

Going Directly to God with Questions

Lenny was adopted and didn’t know it until he was 19 years old. Then he realized his parents were not his biological parents. It sent him for a loop and made him do some unruly things. Once he found out all he could about the adoption, and sorted through his emotions, he realized the people who raised him were his parents. Lenny felt God’s pull on him throughout his life but didn’t respond until recently. He’s fully given his life to Christ and has recently been baptized.  Now, he knows whenever he has questions about life, he can go directly to God.

What advice would you give Jasmine?

If you’ve pursued your dreams despite being told they were unobtainable for you then would you share your story in the comments below? What you have to say could be the encouragement Jasmine or someone else needs to find hope in their journey.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Jasmine’s mom thinks her anger will stop her from achieving her dreams, BUT don’t we all have obstacles in our way that can stop us from reaching our deepest desires…if we allow them to? Anger can be destructive, but it can also be a force for good if it motivates you to turn your anger into passion. Jasmine has been through a lot, growing up in foster care. She’s experienced loss and heartache. But there’s hope for her. She can get counseling for her anger, find healthy ways to deal with it, and is she asks, God will help her along the way. She can use her anger over injustice in her life to help others. She can follow her dreams and be a force for good!

Resources for Help with Anger:

• Check out my blogs: How to Follow Your Dreams, How to Manage Your Anger, and Using Your Anger for Good.
• Here are some powerful stories from those who have followed their dreams and are making a difference in the world: School Assignment Changed Veronika’s Life, How Katie Made a Difference in Uganda, and Dream Big, Even on the Hard Days.
• Need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, then: Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,

My podcast, our website, everything we do is entirely listener supported. If you’d like to help us to continue our work, please make a gift right now at our Give Now page.

Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope!

My name is Izzy and this is my story:

I have been dealing with depression for eleven years. My sister passed away and my life changed completely. Then my Aunt passed away from suicide. Then on my Aunt's birthday, my grandmother died, of old age. I was abused by my father. My parents divorced, and my mom found a really cool guy who became my stepdad. I loved him until he started putting me down, shoving me out of the house, getting so close to me that when he yelled he would spit on me.

I have been bullied at school to the point where I'm afraid to be myself and talk to anyone because of fear of being laughed at. I have a really bad life here. And I have attempted suicide three times already.

TheHopeLine Saved My Life

But I came to TheHopeLine. My Coach talked to me and listened to me. I had been so scared to talk, but here I was safe. I am so glad because I had my pistol ready. Thank you so much.

If you are also going through a lot, don't give up. There is hope.
~ Izzy

Sometimes life seems filled with such pain, sadness, and hurt that we think we can't handle it anymore. Our minds convince us life will always be this hard and will never get better.  But we are here to tell you that while we fully understand how impossible things may seem, don't give up.  Life can get better. 

If Izzy can walk away with hope, so can you. But you need to want help. You need to decide you are worth fighting for. We believe you are worth it and so does God.

She Feels like God Has Forgotten Her

Ova graduated from college last year with a degree in health care management. She’s been diligently searching for a job this past year and says, “no one will give me a chance.” During this adjustment time in her life and all the job searching, she started dating a guy, she had met in school. Their relationship got physical but then she found out he was married with 2 kids.

With all that’s been going on in her life, Ova feels she’s not living to her full potential. She feels as if God has forgotten her. This has led her to question God, depression, and many sleepless nights. Where does she go from here?

Peer to Peer: Messages of Hope for Ova 

We received some inspiring message of hope and encouragement for Ova from Hannah, Kelly, and Sabine.

Turn to God

Hannah wants Ova to know, she’s struggling with some of the same things. For the longest time, she struggled with self-hate and felt she wasn’t worthy of God’s love anymore. She received the conviction that the Lord wanted her to turn back to Him, even though she had messed up so many times. Hannah says, “God is not a God of shame, but a God of grace and mercy.” And shared the scripture, 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Hannah tells Ova, “The 3 words I want you to remember are: Hear, Forgive, and Heal. God hears you Ova. He hears you, He hears your cry. He hears and knows your heart. And He forgives you because He loves you and you were called by name and he’s going to heal you.”  Turn to God!

You Will Overcome and Get Over It

Kelly says you will overcome and get through this. She advises Ova to try to go to church and find things she likes to do. Kelly also said, try to read your Bible and pray. She says, people will be there for you, you just have to pray, and God will lead you the way you need to go.

Put God First

Sabine says sometimes we don’t realize how we can block our own blessings from God because of the choices we make and the way we choose to live. She says, during Ova’s time of job searching, she wasn’t putting God first, she was not living a lifestyle pleasing to God. Sabine said to make sure you remember every day, all day, to put God first.

What Does Ova Need to Do?

1. Get Her Spiritual Life Together

Until she gets her spiritual life together she will remain as she is – stuck.  She confessed that she’s not living to her full potential.  She can’t sleep. She can’t find a job.  She hates herself and feels like God has forgotten her.  She’s just going in circles.  And she’s miserable. Until she gets her spiritual life together, she will remain as she is – stuck.

2. Stop allowing Shame to destroy Her Self-Worth

Guilt is feeling bad about what you do. Shame is feeling bad about who you think you are.  She believes she’ll always be unworthy before God because of what she has done, which affects how she feels about herself. Shame is a deadly game and she’s mixed up in it. No one needs to be caught in shame and live that way for long. You can’t, it’s so toxic that in time, it will break you down and destroy you.

3. Accept God’s Love

God hates shame and wants to show us his love and acceptance. He longs to show us we are forgiven. Christ was covered in shame when he died on the cross, so we don’t have to be.  I thought the verse Hannah used was very powerful. The Bible says in, 2^nd Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” If we will but pray and seek God and turn from the wickedness and trash in our lives. God will forgive and heal us.

4. Be Patient with Herself

Ova needs to be patient with herself.  God forgives the minute you confess, but there is a healing process.  May Ova’s prayer become a reality in her life. May she find a job soon. May she continue to walk with God in a whole new light. May Ova experience the answer to her prayer to hear the truth that will set her free.

What Advice Would You Give Ova?

Ova was very appreciative of the great advice she received. If you have advice for Ova, would you type it in the comments below!?! You never know when Ova or someone else struggling might read it, be encouraged and find hope from you.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you never thought you would end up? The good news is that we have the freedom to start putting God first in our life at any time. God wants to help us change and transform into the person He wants us to be. God is a God of grace and mercy. He forgives when we ask, and he heals our brokenness. Let’s turn to God, surrender to Him, and allow Him to work in our lives.

Resources for Help With Shame and Self-Worth:

• Here are all of our resources on faith to help you with your relationship with God: Faith Resources
• Check out my eBooks: Understanding Forgiveness, Understanding Self-Worth, Understanding a Relationship with God, and Understanding Hope.
• Check out: Verses of Hope for Forgiveness
• Check out my blogs: God Wants to Hear from you! How to Pray, and This Hole in My Soul, and Life is Worth Fighting For
• Need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, then: Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,
My podcast, our website, everything we do is entirely listener supported. If you’d like to help us to continue our work, please make a gift right now at our Give Now page.

Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope!

If you’re dealing with addiction or experiencing a relapse, true recovery is a challenge. When you feel overwhelmed by recovery, it can be tempting to self-soothe or self-medicate with unhealthy or addictive behaviors.

To understand the difference between self-care and self-soothing, think of those times when you have an illness. You wouldn’t care for the flu with junk food, parties, and entertainment that would only make you feel good for a brief time. You would care for the root causes of your illness and follow prescribed treatments that truly heal your body (rather than just masking your discomfort).

Likewise, true self-care is the only way to heal your mind, body, and spirit from the pain and scars left by the disease of addiction.

Caring for Your Body

Since many relapse and addiction triggers happen when you are hungry, tired, or irritable, caring for your body is paramount when you’re in addiction recovery.

• Exercise: Staying active releases endorphins, which make you feel better without self-soothing in an unhealthy way.
• Nutrition: Eating when you’re hungry (and nourishing yourself with healthy meals and snacks) is key to feeling well in your recovery.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is essential to your health and well-being and staying hydrated is a great way to curb cravings for unhealthy or addictive foods and drinks.
• Rest: Getting enough sleep makes it easier to focus on getting things done and makes you more likely to stay focused when building other healthy habits

Caring for Your Mind

Since addiction takes place in the mind as much as the body, it’s important that your self-care extends to your mental health. Set and keep regular appointments with your doctor, as well as for any recovery mentorship or therapy you receive. The extra accountability and support goes a long way.

Starting a mindfulness meditation practice may also help you focus more clearly on your recovery and the positive intentions behind it. You don’t even have to leave home to try it. You can find meditation blogs and sites, YouTube channels, and smartphone apps to remind you to take time out for your daily mindfulness exercise.

Many recovery programs use creative expression as a form of healthy self-care. Journaling, writing stories or poetry, drawing, painting, and collaging are just a few of the ways you can share the words, thoughts, and feelings of your recovery journey.

Starting a hobby (or picking it back up) is another wonderful way to de-stress without turning to unhealthy thoughts or behaviors.

Sewing, artwork, reading, hiking – whatever you enjoy, it’s perfectly okay to treat yourself to things that stimulate your mind and connect you with others. For ideas, try searching for local community education classes or meetup groups that interest you – there’s a lot to do and learn!

Caring for Your Spirit

There’s a reason some of the most famous recovery programs in the world acknowledge a higher power very early on. Faith and grace make the impossible possible.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”- Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

Recovery fueled by faith also offers a sense of community, which helps counter the sense of isolation that triggers many relapses into addictive behavior.

If you are interested in knowing more about God who makes all things possible, read this - Learn More About God
We’ve talked with many people who don’t go to church, but who have found comfort and peace from receiving prayer for addiction recovery.

If you’re struggling with addiction, we are here to help. Your healing is possible, and it can begin now.

If you're struggling with an addiction to prescription medications download this free eBook for help. 

The end of a relationship can feel devastating. It can be hard to sleep, eat, or concentrate. The things you once thought were fun don’t appeal anymore. Depending on how long you were together, or how intense the emotional attachment was, it may even feel like you don’t know what direction your life will take now.

But don’t give up faith, and don’t lose hope.

As with other types of grief, grieving after a breakup can be done in a healthy way that points you toward healing without spiraling into bitterness, shame, or self-loathing.

Things Will Get Better

Acknowledging the end of a relationship is tough, but there are other things to learn and know after a breakup that are more empowering. One study by the Journal of Positive Psychology found that most participants saw progress in their healing, recovery, and growth after only a few months (around 11 weeks).

Just as knowing that you’re not alone in your feelings can help you when things are at their worst, knowing that you can and will heal from a breakup can help you move forward. There are plenty of practical ways to start on a path to wholeness.

Use Your Time Wisely

Since you’re not spending time with your significant other anymore, it can be tempting to fill that time by wallowing in negative emotions like self-pity, rage, and bitterness.

It may feel good to get those feelings out of your system, but they can do damage if not balanced by other emotions or experiences. If you have a history of struggles with harmful behaviors, addiction, or mental illness, the days after breaking up are a critical time to reach out for help and support.

There are lots of productive ways to use your time after a breakup. Here are a few of the most effective:

Travel: Going somewhere new can be a healthy distraction from the places and routines that remind you of your boyfriend or girlfriend. Take a road trip with some friends, visit family, or visit a hometown landmark you’ve never seen before. Planning and enjoying a trip helps you feel more independent, and may broaden your horizons along the way.

Learning: Learning something new is always fun and energizing. The sense of accomplishment it provides can boost your confidence and help you counter the negative emotions that come along with a breakup, You can try:

• Taking a cooking class
• Finding a new hobby
• Exploring the outdoors
• Sports, games, or exercise
• Learning a new language

Helping Others: Whether it’s volunteering for a cause you believe in, giving time to a ministry at your church, tutoring at your local community center, or being there for a friend who’s going through a rough time, helping others is one of the most therapeutic things you can do after a breakup. It will help you feel better and it may provide you with some much-needed perspective.

Know Your Value

One of the most important things to remember when dealing with a breakup is that your partner’s negative words and feelings about you do not define your true worth. You had worth before and during the relationship. Your value cannot be damaged or diminished by a breakup, no matter how painful the end of the relationship feels.

Believing this can be even more of a struggle if your romantic relationship (or other close relationships that would otherwise be a part of your support system) included a history of abuse, mistreatment, or abandonment.

“He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. . . Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.”— Isaiah 40: 29, 31 (NIV)

But going through a breakup does not make you broken. You were created for good, and there is abundant grace and mercy to strengthen you and help you move forward. TheHopeLine is here for you during your breakup. Talk to us, reach out to a mentor, or request prayer whenever you need it. We can help you work toward healing a broken heart and make sure you reconnect with healthy relationships.

You fell in love and got hurt now what do you do? Find out how to heal, cope and love again:

She Has Been Thinking About Suicide

She has a plan to drive her car off of a really high bridge. It’s always serious when someone says, “I’m suicidal,” and I take it as very serious. If they have a plan, it’s serious on steroids. I asked Britney why she wants to. She said, “Because I don’t feel like I have anything going in my life. My life has revolved around taking care of my family and friends.”

Driving off the bridge is not the answer. Suicide is way too medicine for the sickness. Last weekend, her mom overdosed on her pills and she wasn’t sure if it was an accident or not. Britney constantly worries about her mom. Britney was put in foster care growing up and also had to take care of her grandmother, who had cancer.  She wonders, “What’s the point?”

She no doubt was asked to do something she was way too young for – something that was too demanding for her age and emotional needs.  Here she was, a foster child (which has its own issues), taking care of her dying grandmother.  It was all too much for her.

She sounds emotionally exhausted.  She didn’t say it, but her mother’s overdose probably makes her wonder if she’s going to have to go through the hurt again of taking care of someone who is dying, and who will leave her.  As the old song goes, “Alone Again, Naturally.”

Peer to Peer: Messages of Hope for Britney 

As I talked with Britney on my show, I realized that some of the most invaluable advice and encouragement could come from others who had been in her shoes. She needed some real uplifting and as we opened up the phone lines asking for people to give her message of hope…the calls came flooding in. Here are a few of those calls, from Katelyn, Brad, Caleb, and Lauren. These people were right on with their messages of hope and their encouragement!

Keep Going, Suicide Is Not the Answer

Katelyn says to Britney, “Keep going, suicide is not the answer. I’ve been in your shoes to the point where I didn’t want to be there anymore. And you just need to pray, be strong, and hold your head up. Even though you’re going through a rough patch right now, just know that God is handling it. God is watching over you. Look up to Him and pray to God. You are a strong beautiful person.

There is no reason you should end your life because God has a plan for you.”

Katelyn gave Britney Firsthand Experience

Katelyn was kind but direct.  She spoke of firsthand experience.  She, too, had thought about killing herself.  People who have been suicidal and have come through the other side can be extremely helpful.

Some people are afraid to talk with a suicidal person about their issues, thinking about what they say will push them off the ledge, but that’s not true.  Talking with someone openly about suicide can only help, as long as it is respectful, kind, and without any baiting.  For example, “You’ll never kill yourself.  You’re too stupid to do it.”  That’s baiting.  And it’s very dangerous.  But Katelyn didn’t do that.  She spoke openly about the issues and was extremely respectful.

Katelyn was also hopeful.  And her hopefulness had been impacted by her faith in God.  When you bring God into the equation, you also bring hope because whatever is troubling someone who is suicidal can be solved by God.

You are Worth More than Driving Your Car off a Bridge

Here’s Brad’s advice for Britney. “I’ve been in your shoes before, I know exactly what you’re going through. I have felt the world against my shoulders, felt the world was crashing down around me and there was nowhere to turn…except to end it all. I had a plan myself. I started to do the plan and then one of my friends called me. I just happened to pick up, completely in tears, completely upset, feeling I wasn’t loved, that there was no there just to say, “Hey, I got you. I got your back. I’m always here if you need something.” It’s all sort of unexplained mysterious work at hand just to let you know that you are worth more than driving your car off a bridge. Your self-worth and the worth of everybody around you and around the world that’s listening right now. The fact the whole world is blowing up to let you know, girl, you got this. You can beat this, you are loved by millions of people. You’ve called in to talk with Dawson, you’ve called in and are listening to all of us. Just to talk to you and we are here to say we know where you are coming from. I get it. I understand. I’m here if you need me. I’m here if you need anything at all.”

Brad’s Advice offered Hope

Brad, too, offered tremendous hope to Britney.  He said the very fact that she had called the show was a sign of hope.  He’s right. 

Some people are so depressed they don’t have the emotional strength to call.  She did.  She was serious, and she was getting the answers she was looking for.

He also talked about the millions of people who were hearing her plea for help.  And those million were all pulling for her. Always remember what people want most is hope.  If you will sincerely offer it to them, you are giving them an amazing gift.

You are Here for a Reason

Caleb said to Britney, “You called Dawson for a reason. God sent you to Dawson for a reason, so you could call him. That way God can speak to you through someone else to help you not do what you are trying to do right now. There have been many people in your shoes. I have been in your shoes just recently. I wanted to drive my car at 110 mph into a tree. But Dawson came on and spoke words to me that I’ve never heard before and I listened to his show for 8 years. I had friend’s blowing up my phone, they all tell me there’s a reason I’m here. God didn’t put you down here for no reason. Nobody is down here on this Earth for no reason.

We all make a difference, whether it be now, in the past, or in the future. You could wake up tomorrow and then something new sparks up and you’ve just changed the whole world. You never know.”

Caleb said Something Powerful

Caleb had something really powerful to say – he said, “You’re not down here for no reason.”  He was saying don’t blow the opportunity God has given you.  It may be dark today, but that could all change tomorrow.

There’s so Much You Haven’t Experienced Yet

Lauren says to Britney, “Life gets really really hard sometimes and it feels like you’re at your breaking point. I suffer with depression. I’ve been through a lot of things and been suicidal.  You’re so young and there’s so much you haven’t experienced.

There’s so much in the world to see. And you’re worth so much more than driving your car off a bridge.”

You are worth so much more!

Lauren, another caller, piggy-backed on what Caleb was saying.  She said, “You’re so young, and there’s so much in the world you haven’t experienced, and there’s so much in the world to see.  And you’re worth so much more than driving your car off a bridge.” Amen Lauren!

What advice would you give Britney?

Britney said the advice was amazing! After hearing the messages of hope, she said, “I’m not going to give up!” If you have advice for Britney, would you type it in the comments below! You never know when Britney or someone else struggling with suicidal thoughts might read it, be encouraged and find hope.

Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?

Have you been having thoughts of suicide or know someone who’s there right now? It’s incredible, the difference we can make in someone’s life by speaking love and encouragement to them. What I loved about each of those that gave messages of hope for Britney, was that is they could relate to what she was feeling. Each one of them had felt like giving up at some point in their life.

They told Britney, they’d been there, feeling like she does, and she didn’t have to be in that place alone.

I love what Caleb told Britney, “God didn’t put you down here for no reason.” God has an amazing plan for each one of us. Psalm 139:13-16 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Let God be your hope. He alone is our hope and our refuge. As the Psalmist David wrote, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” (Psalm 33:20-22)

Resources for help with Suicide:

If you or a friend need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, for free confidential, 24/7 help. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

• Here are our: Suicide Prevention Resources
• Check out my eBook: Understanding Suicide.
• Check out: Verses of Hope for Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts.
• Check out my blogs: Why Say No to Suicide?, To Those Who Feel Worthless, and How Can I Find Hope?.
• Need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, then: Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.

One last thing,
My podcast, our website, everything we do is entirely listener supported. If you’d like to help us to continue our work, please make a gift right now at our Give Now page.

Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope! 

It’s never easy to cope with job loss – and it’s even harder if you’ve been fired or laid off unexpectedly. Most people experience grief after losing a job, just as they would after any other significant loss.

It can be jarring to feel the intense, negative emotions that come with unemployment. But there’s no need to feel guilty for being sad, angry, or anxious about the future. You’re not alone in your feelings or your circumstances.

The important thing is to have a plan for dealing with your feelings in a healthy way so that you can move forward to the next opportunity.

Take a Break

In the days right after losing your job, it may be tempting to exhaust yourself with job searching. You may also feel immobilized by depression and anxiety.

It’s important to take a break to lower your stress level. Make time to rest, hydrate, and eat well so that you can keep your focus sharp and your energy up as you get ready for your next steps.

Don’t forget to stay active in things you enjoy. Getting exercise and keeping engaged in your favorite hobbies are simple, effective ways to decrease anxiety. The endorphin boost makes it easier to maintain a positive attitude.

Find an Outlet

Often, one of the most upsetting things about losing your job is losing your peer group at work. But the good news is, they weren’t your only outlet. When facing unemployment, you can reach out to family, friends, or a mentor you can trust. Having someone to talk to is a great way to process your feelings and makes it easier to maintain a positive perspective. 

Make a Plan

You’ll need time to adjust, but making a plan for moving forward ensures you don’t stay stuck. Career experts suggest:
Make time: Set aside time to job search (and separate time for other important things in your life). Schedule your job search as you would your work.

Join a Job Club: Job clubs and career centers are a great place to update your resume and cover letter, refine your job search techniques, and perfect your interviewing skills.

Network: Connecting with others is a great way to find your next job opportunity. To make it easier, you can attend networking events with friends.

Keep the Faith

Things can seem bleak after losing your job, But there’s always hope. God will never abandon you and he rewards faith during difficult times.

“Now faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see. . .  Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1, 6

If you have an existing mental illness, the sudden changes that happen when you lose your job makes things even more difficult. It’s always important to avoid places and situations that could trigger addictive or harmful behaviors, but it’s good to be especially careful during this time.

When keeping the faith gets hard, don’t give into despair. TheHopeLine is here to help We can help you talk things through and plan for your success. Are you ready for a new beginning?

If you are struggling with depression, no matter the cause, to find out more and get help, check out our free eBook on Depression!

If you’re in addiction recovery, you’re probably haunted by one question over and over: will I relapse again?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to staying clean, but there are some things recovery experts recommend that could go a long way toward helping you avoid a further relapse into addictive behavior.

Know Your Triggers

“Relapse triggers” are any of a number of emotions, behaviors, or situations that are likely to put you at high risk of relapse.

Many triggers are connected to strong physical and emotional sensations. When you’re hungry or tired, you’re more likely to turn to addictive substances or behaviors to soothe those feelings. Healthy self-care (remembering to eat, hydrate, and rest) is key to recovery without relapse.

Although anger, stress, depression, or anxiety can feel overwhelming, negative emotions are a part of everyday life. Learning how to manage them with healthy coping techniques like therapy, mentorship, or the help of a support group (rather than turning to addictive behavior to numb them) can help you avoid relapsing.

This is particularly important if you have a preexisting physical or mental illness. Mental health diagnoses can make it more difficult to identify healthy coping mechanisms without help from a trained professional. But working with a mentor or therapist equips you with a plan unique to your needs, your goals, and your strengths.

Be Mindful of Places and People

As you grow in your recovery, more positive emotions will surface. You may even feel ready for life to “get back to normal”. But be very careful when it comes to choosing where and with whom you spend your time.

Experts recommend avoiding the people with whom you engaged in addictive behavior in the past. If you need help building new relationships, find a local support group or recovery meeting.

Spend time in places where there is little-to-no temptation to engage in your addictive behavior. For example, if you have an alcohol addiction, avoid bars and nightclubs. Try your favorite park, cafe, or museum instead.

It’s a good idea to avoid romantic or sexual relationships within the first year of your recovery. Sudden, heightened emotions – even positive ones – can trigger a relapse.

If you’re in a long-term relationship before beginning your recovery, make sure your partner is also willing to stay clean and sober. Whether or not they have an addiction, encourage them to come to recovery meetings with you. Make sure you communicate regularly about the support you need from them, and be sure to show appreciation for their support.

It’s important to surround yourself with people who will promote, encourage, and prolong your recovery. Because they help you avoid social isolation, healthy, loving friendships and family relationships make relapse less likely.

Something to Celebrate

When you’re in recovery, every day clean and sober is a victory. But how do you celebrate without putting your sobriety in danger?

Be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul:
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” — Romans 12:3, NIV

Do your best to temper overconfidence with a realistic, healthy view of your struggles and limitations. This will help you be more mindful of your relapse triggers, more likely to share them with people you trust, and more likely to avoid them in the future.

While you certainly shouldn’t despair if you stumble during your recovery, it’s important to strike a balance. Ask for help when you’re struggling, rejoice when you succeed. Strengthening your faith and recommitting to prayer helps you avoid unhealthy extremes, like thinking you’re invincible during your recovery or reminiscing about “the good old days” in a way that minimizes the pain of your addiction. This sober mindset means you run less risk of hurting yourself or people you love further by relapsing into addictive behavior.

Getting support, avoiding isolation, and facing your feelings in a healthy way will empower you to better avoid relapse as you take charge of your recovery journey.

Celebrate your victories, no matter how small, with gratitude and humility. Give thanks in prayer each day. Let the people who love you know how important they are to your healing and wholeness. Pour your favorite tea, go for an afternoon walk, or sit down with your favorite movie. There are plenty of ways to celebrate while keeping yourself sober and safe.

Have a Plan

Knowing what triggers your addictive behavior can certainly help you avoid a relapse, but that's not enough. you need a plan that includes:

• How you will replace unhealthy or addictive behaviors with healthy ones
• New places to go (and people to spend time with) that don't tempt you toward addictive behavior

Get Support

Recovery from addiction is never impossible but getting and staying clean is a lot more attainable with the right support.
In fact, addiction research shows that treatment programs can help prevent relapses and decrease relapse rates, particularly if the entire treatment program is completed.

Whether it’s getting help through TheHopeLine, your faith community, a recovery meeting, or a close friend or family member, you can free yourself from past addiction and avoid future relapses.

We support people at every stage of addiction recovery. We can help you heal from addiction — starting now.

How to Support a Friend with Depression

I love my friends and family. I don’t want any of them to struggle, suffer, or feel pain, especially not when I feel like I might be able to help.

If you love someone who has a depression diagnosis, it can be difficult to know what to do. After all, you can’t fix their brain chemistry, give them more energy, or change any difficult circumstances in their life.

But don’t despair. There are a lot of ways you can help.

Listen

Listening is crucial for the success of any friendship or relationship, but it’s especially powerful for your friend with depression to know they’re heard. It helps counter their feelings of isolation and reminds them that they are indeed worthy of your time and attention.

Affirm

People with depression have often told me that one of the most frustrating things they experience is feeling like it’s “all in their head”, or that they’re just being “too emotional” and overdramatic. That's why depression and insecurity go hand in hand for many people. Affirming that you understand why something is sad or frustrating goes a long way toward helping your friend feel more grounded – and less alone.

Encourage

When everything feels hopeless, knowing someone is in your corner can go a long way. As you talk to your friend, you might learn about specific things that make their depression more difficult. For example, perhaps they feel guilty for not getting everything done on their to-do list because they had a hard time getting out of bed.

You could encourage them by letting them know that you understand how hard it can be for them to get going. Let them know you're proud of them for all they’ve accomplished so far.

Celebrate whatever victories you can along the way, however small they may seem on the surface.

Learn

There are tons of resources out there to help you learn about depression and other mental illness. Doing some research can empower you to be able to better support people in your life with depression. Maybe you and your friend can even learn together by listening to a podcast or reading through a book.

Share Quality Time

Meet for tea or coffee. Watch their favorite movie. Share a meal together. Sure, you can talk about how they’re feeling. But don’t make every conversation about their diagnosis. Remember to laugh and have fun along the way. If possible, silence your phone so you can focus on your friend. Being present can increase their sense of connection with you, which may help to alleviate some of their sadness or loneliness.

Check-In

Text or call now and then just to see how they’re doing. It’s a simple way to brighten someone’s day and let them know they matter.

Pray

You can pray for your loved one with depression anytime. If prayer is part of your daily routine, put them on your prayer list. Ask them if they need more specific prayer. Next time you read an encouraging or uplifting verse, share it with your friend. There are lots of Bible verses to read when feeling hopeless to remind them of God’s love and care for their heart and their circumstances.

Find Out More

You probably already do a lot of these things for your friends and loved ones. Keep it up! Even choosing one or two of them to do with intention whenever you see your friend will make a big difference.

It can seem overwhelming when you friend, loved one, or family member has depression. If you need help along the way, we offer mental health resources, prayer, and mentorship. All you have to do is reach out.