Dear Ellana:

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing sadness.We will certainly be in prayer for you.

The symptoms you are describing may be a clinical depression. You need to talk to your doctor about this. If this is clinical depression, medications are available that can help and bring you out of that depression.

From the the spiritual side of things, extreme sadness is usually the result of a lack of trust in God. You need to remember that God loves you and will never abandon you. God tells us in Romans 8:28, 35-39 (one of the greatest passages in the Bible, one of great comfort).

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a promise of God. God is not a liar, He keeps his promises. Thus, no matter what is going on in our lives, God can make lemonade from the lemons in our lives if we let Him. God does not lie so we know this is true.

In addition, God makes another wonderful promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Look closely at that passage:

1) No temptation, such as sadness or suicide, that you may have is yours alone. All these temptations are common to man.

2) God will not allow anything to come into your life that is beyond your strength to endure. Isn't that wonderful. If anything is happening in our lives we know for a fact that we can handle it with God's help. God promises this and He does not lie.

3) God will always give you a way to escape the temptation.

Thus, we know for a fact that the temptation to sadness and even suicide is something that you can work through because God says so and He does not lie. We know that He gives you a way to escape those temptations, again because He says so and He does not lie.

What are some of the ways to escape the temptations to sadness?

1) go to daily Mass if possible.

2) go to confession frequently.

3) spend at least one hour per week in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. If the Sacrament is not exposed, sit in front of the Tabernacle. Talk to God about how you are feeling, but for at least 20 minutes sit there quietly and just listen for God. Sometimes we pray so much that God can't get a word in edgewise.

4) read the Bible daily.

5) meditate daily on Psalm 23 and on Matthew 5:1-12.

6) develop a devotion to St. Dymphna.

7) do devotions to your favorite saints.

8) pray the rosary or another favorite prayer.

9) avail yourself of spiritual warfare prayers.

On this last one concerning spiritual warfare prayers, click on the link below. In the Catalog there are many prayers. Some that come to mind for you are the Hedge Prayer of Protection, Prayer to Control Thoughts (of sadness, suicide), and Rebuking Particular Spirit (rebuke the spirit of sadness and suicide).

But, it is critically important for you to talk to your doctor, especially with feelings of suicide. Never, but never, underestimate or dismiss suicidal thoughts. You need to get to your doctor right away and discuss this with him.

We will be in prayer for you.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary