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FOR TEENS
Rescued from dark thoughts
WHEN I WAS 14, I LAPSED INTO A DEPRESSION that went on for a number of months. During that time, I often had thoughts of suicide. I'd been dealing with mood swings, anger, sleepless nights, and fights with my family. It seemed like there had been a growing gap between God and myself. But these difficult months felt even more severe. I was beginning to physically harm myself. I'd even cut myself on purpose a few times.
My parents were supportive throughout this time, talking to me, praying about my well-being, and even suggesting I talk to a Christian Science practitioner. But I also kept a lot of what I was feeling to myself. I wouldn't agree to seek help, even though my parents persisted in encouraging me, because I felt vulnerable. I would go in and out of stages, sometimes believing myself cured, sometimes actually enjoying depression. Against parent's rules, I would leave the house to go on walks late at night, hoping to get hurt.
It was around this time that I had a bad argument with a family member, and, through tears, the thought of suicide came so strongly that it shocked me. I began wondering how I'd allowed my thought to plummet so far. As someone who was raised in Christian Science, I always felt like I had a good understanding of it, but I realized I needed to take another, much deeper look.
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December 6, 2010 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from LINNY BEE, JODIE KENNEDY, VICKI KNICKERBOCKER, MILDRED S. LARUAN, ADOLF WALTER KNOPFEL, ROBERT STRANATHAN
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A GPS FOR LIFE
MAIKE BYRD, STAFF EDITOR
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Mollie Ziegler Hemingway, Oswald Pereira, Tom Krattenmaker
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CASTING OUT CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT
JEREMY CARPER
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THE ULTIMATE SHEPHERD
OLENE CARROLL
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Prayer that puts a stop to crimes against children
BY TONY LOBL
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Mountaintop Views
BY DILSHAD KHAMBATTA EAMES
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DIVINE JUSTICE AT WORK
BY HELEN SMART
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Every step with God's leading
BY MARTHA MOFFETT
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5 lessons from the dance floor
BY JENNIFER DOAK
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A nation reflects on God
BY RUSS GERBER
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Church membership increases our strength
BY JUDY HEDRICK
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HEALINGS LEAD TO A LIFE OF SPIRITUAL SERVICE
LOUIS MULUMBA
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HEALED OF RECURRING PAIN
SCOTT MOSELEY
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QUICKLY HEALED AFTER A FALL AND A SUDDEN ILLNESS
Edna Steele
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NO SURGERY NEEDED
CARMEM TEREZA FONSECA MEDEIROS with contributions from LEONARDO