Let's Talk about Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

It’s ok to start a conversation, to provide support, and to offer help to someone who needs it. Let me put this information upfront: Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. You can call or text 988 and even Chat at 988lifeline.org. It’s free, available 24/7 and confidential.

I’m Charlene Stevens Jenkins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Veterans Health Administration and Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery (CR) at Live Oak Church in Hinesville.

If you know someone who is struggling, please let them know they are not alone. Here are a few things we all can do to help prevent suicides: 1. Reach out; 2. Listen and 3. Seek help. If you’re struggling, reach out to a sponsor, accountability partner or someone you trust. If you aren’t struggling, let someone know you care and that you’re willing to be there for them.

One of the most important things for us to do is to stay connected with other people and not isolate if they’re not doing ok. If you ARE ok, check on someone else. We need each other.

My challenge to you TODAY…is to first determine where you are. Be completely honest. Stop acting like nothing is wrong. If you’ve been thinking about hurting yourself or if you just wish you weren’t alive anymore, tell someone. Call someone. Dial 988.

Maybe that’s not you. Maybe you’re just fine, but you may know someone who isn’t doing so well. I challenge to you to reach out to that person either by a phone call, text, visit, DM, or other creative ways. And if someone DOES reach out you for help, please stop what you’re doing and make the time to listen.

It’s a serious matter, and it takes courage to reach out for help. We want to be there for them. You don’t have to have all of the answers. You don’t have to be able to solve all of their problems. Be a listening ear. You will show them that you care and you can help point them in the right direction, if needed. Connect them with available resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

At some point, you may go online to find support groups available in the area. Also, find a Celebrate Recovery near you at www.celebraterecovery.com. Click on Locator and enter your address. If you’re in the Liberty or Long County areas, we meet on Mondays from 7-9 at Live Oak Church, 296 Live Oak Church Rd, Hinesville GA 31313.

Thank you so much for your time. For all of my previous blogs, visit charlenestevensjenkins.com

Struggling but Growing

If this is your first time reading my blog, thank you! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Veterans Health Administration and I’m the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church in Hinesville GA. I started blogging in 2019 and I’d love it if you check out my other blogs at charlenestevensjenkins.com/blog Last month I talked about the importance of confessing as I elaborated on CR Lesson 12 Confess. Since over half the year is past, and we’ve covered the final lesson in Principle 4, Lesson 13 Admit, this lesson takes us to Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs according to James 5:16, “ therefore confess your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” As I have been reflecting on this, I felt the need to ask if you have struggled with anything lately? Have you kept it to yourself, or have you shared it with someone else?

Me? Yes, I have struggled and yes, I have discussed it with spiritual mentors and accountability partners. Can I tell you something? We ALL need them, and I mentioned a little about three levels of friends in my book WHEN I WAS 40. As a Ministry Leader, it can be tempting to just act like I have it all together as a means of trying to encourage other people, but that means I’m slipping back into denial (Lesson 1), and I refuse to go back there. My desire is to wake up early EVERY morning and spend time in the Word, prayer/praise/worship/intercession, reflection/quiet time, and journaling. I have been struggling to do these things because of sheer exhaustion, I may not wake up as early as I had planned. The exhaustion could be from a busy week and/or from spiritual attacks.

I admit, I’ve had days where I woke up before my alarm went off, as early as 3 am because I couldn’t wait to pray and spend time in God’s Word. I’ve also had days where I could hardly get out of bed and listened to the Bible app audio while lying there. Then I’d pray while I got ready and drove in to work. I am ashamed to admit the latter. However, even though I may struggle, I still have the desire to meet with God. So, I repent for not getting up sooner and don’t entertain thoughts like, “Look at you. You overslept again. You pressed snooze again.” If I feel condemnation, it’s not of God. Instead, after I ask for mercy - His mercies are new every morning - I make it a priority to meditate, to talk to Him and fill my day (as much as possible) with prayer, praise, and worship. I don’t let the enemy win! God’s Grace is sufficient and abundant towards us.

Those mornings when I found myself having to drag out of bed, and I wished I had gotten up sooner, God still meets me and then I wish I could stay longer! Even when I don’t press snooze, I still wish I could stay longer and not have to leave for work. Aren’t you glad He can be with us everywhere we go?

I encourage you that if you have struggled, just know that you’re not alone. Imagine this. God’s Son, Jesus, made time in prayer a priority. He was our perfect example. For us to grow spiritually, we must do the same. The enemy of our souls will ALWAYS attack us in those areas, and will try to accuse us of not being what God has said we are! Don’t give up. Pray right where you are. If you have to listen to the Bible and pray while you drive, walk, exercise, start there. Don’t stay there. It feels SO GOOD to wake up early and spend time in God’s presence unhurried, unrushed to talk to AND hear from Him. That’s still my goal and that’s what I will aim for. What is your goal? What will you aim for? If you have any questions, DM me. Let’s communicate. I’m here to encourage, inspire, and motivate. I’m praying for you. If you are looking for a support group to help you work through your issues, challenges and shortcomings, visit celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator’ to find a group near you.

Got Freedom?

Are you new here? Welcome! Thank you for joining me.

I’m Charlene Stevens-Jenkins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with the Veterans Health Administration, and the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church, Hinesville GA.

While I was writing, I couldn't help but reflect on the concept of being free as I've enjoyed this very special month. I attended a Juneteenth Festival at the Historic Dorchester Center in Midway, GA. I spent time with my family as we celebrated my Dad on Father’s Day, and my birthday since I was born on Juneteenth. (Yes! I’m grateful for another year). And, I have to mention the powerful Father’s Day message by Bishop Israel Aaron Cowart, “Loose Him and Let Him Go,” John 11:38-44. He gave so much insight into what was happening then and now. If you weren't in attendance that Sunday, I highly recommend you hit the replay on Facebook.

Then on Monday, the federal holiday recognizing Juneteenth, our Celebrate Recovery group met and I taught CR Lesson 12: Confess. When we celebrate Juneteenth, we recognize the release and freedom of enslaved Africans, especially those living in Galveston, Texas who were kept in the dark about their freedom until two years later. Juneteenth was the beginning! Slavery was and is wrong, and we Praise God for freedom!

At CR, our study drew our attention to the freedom of confession. What does confession have to do with freedom? ‘Confess’ means to admit a fault, crime or debt. There is freedom in admitting. We set ourselves free to move and become all God created us to be. Have you recognized the common theme? Freedom. There is certainly a resounding connection between freedom and confession. Once you confess a thing you are free from the bondage of it. Any lie, internal or external, is a hindrance to freedom.

Are you free? You can be. You don't have to be kept in the dark by any lie.

Want to join us? We are still on Principle 4 and just began Step 5, “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

The Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Guide states that we are only as sick as our secrets. The key is to find a trusted accountability partner, sponsor or mentor. That person can help you find the freedom you need as you work through your hurts, habits and hang ups.

Got Freedom? You can be free. Visit celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator’ to find a group near you. If you have any questions, DM me. Let’s communicate. I’m here to encourage, inspire, and motivate. I’m praying for you.