I’m the unseen friend of the once addicted now-set-free one. I’m also the voice of the unseen loved one of any form of affliction of a loved one. I’m the unseen one who continues to love and forgive even though stripes of painful words, neglect, betrayal or abandonment lay marks on my body, mind and soul.
I do not boast in my own strength because I felt the pain and endured the suffering from the one who didn’t know what they were doing at the time. Oh, many say, “Yes, they knew what they were doing, don’t be a fool to stay loyal; they don’t deserve it.” And the world’s voice cries out, “Leave them, forsake them!” But love won’t allow it!
Love won’t allow the stripes inflicted on itself to cause retaliation in like-kind because it believes in its source of power to be Sovereign over all. Love hopes, endures, believes, suffers wrong, and is patient and kind. (1Corinthians 13) Love loves because it’s true and pure and gets its power from showing love first. Love is Jesus Christ who loved us first. We love Him because He first loved us it says in 1John 4:19. Jesus said He will never leave us or forsake us.
Love said some things in truth to overcome the evil in my friend. When she called multiple times threatening suicide, I listened and tried to reason with her, but I realized it wasn’t her talking, it was Suicide. What became the last time that Suicide called, I knew who I was talking to and I had enough of its control over my friend. So I called its bluff. I knew the Suicide bully’s strength was held in its threat and the bully’s fire was the fear of it following through. I was done reasoning in my own strength so I called its bluff.
Strength rose up in me as I sat in my car in SC at the time and I spoke directly to Suicide on the phone. I wasn’t afraid anymore because I knew my friend was safe with Jesus. I told Suicide to stop its threats and either follow through with it or shut up. I was tired of being bullied by it and tired of my friend being imprisoned by it. Suicide continued to talk as I hung up the phone. I gave my friend to the Lord and I was at peace; I knew she was safe with Jesus no matter what.
I honestly never thought about my story until I was asked to tell it here. I wept and Jesus healed my heart of what I bore in love back then, residue pain left behind. It was always about my friend and her restoration and that’s okay because she’s worth it.
Her testimony of healing and restoration by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ will be far more reaching than the testimony of the unseen friend. God knows. Jesus, the Great Shepherd, left the 99 to look for the one who was lost. That’s what He did through the unseen friend and the many others who were unseen in her life. She was worth finding to restore.
Everyone played a part in my friend’s recovery. The best we can do is to be true to God, others and ourselves; knowing we each are needy and need a Savior and Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Each person is worth it. That’s the heart of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Sharon’s life will always be worth laying down my own and she would do the same for me. God delivered her from Suicide and addiction to drugs and she is now leading others out of the same prisons she was locked up in. Jesus is Redeemer! God heals the unseen friends’ wounds as well as the afflicted ones. God is good. He is always good! -PAL
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you’re encouraged to seek help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK.