Shine Now! Mag July 2016 Shine Now! Mag July Volume 1 Issue 2 | Page 20

Ms. Rose is a college educated Christian who grew up in the church. She is a preacher’s kid, who ministered to others and understood the power of prayer. Yet, she fell into a dark pit of isolation. She states, “I was a public success, but a private failure. I felt like a burden to my family and I wanted to remove myself.” Many have contemplated it, but to take action is another mindset. AFSP states, "Suicide occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition." LaToya states,"I was living for everyone else and their expectations. I surrounded myself by people who were not able to pour into me. They could not uplift and I could not uplift them.” We must remember who cares for us. Jesus is our source of strength. It is easy to forget that we can not save anyone. It is the power of God working through us, that helps others and ourselves. In LaToya’s case, she felt out of place and weird. As she tried to fit in with others, she lived a life she could not sustain. The pressure to keep up the appearance overwhelmed her. 20