Editor’s Note: This message is excerpted from Dianna Hobbs; Your Daily Cup of Inspiration blog and has been used by permission. To read the full blog visit YourDailyCupOfInspiration.com

Yesterday my husband Kenya called me on his way to a meeting. He told me he was running behind schedule because police officers had stopped all traffic on the expressway.

The reason for the stoppage was a man standing on an overpass on the verge of suicide. Officers and first responders on the scene stood by hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. It appeared that the distressed young man would jump.

Thank God, he didn’t.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and instances like this remind us to pray and care for each other. Sometimes people are hurting in ways we can’t imagine and are desperately in need of help, love and support. As one who personally battles mental health issues since sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2019, I know how it feels to be severely depressed with suicidal thoughts running through my head.

“You’d be better off dead,” my brain tells me. “You have no value and are a waste of space,” my confused emotions say, as images of how to take my own life flash before me. When this happens, my therapist calls it suicidal ideation, and the mental anguish is indescribable. It feels impossible to cope.

Mental and emotional pain is so raw and potent that I know I wouldn’t be here without God’s unending grace, fervent prayer, an amazing support system, an awesome faith community full of intercessors, a wonderful therapist, Prozac, a crisis plan for the days when it gets overwhelming, and the power of the Holy Ghost. I need all those things to help me get through!

Mental health issues are real, and it takes work to overcome them.

Before my stint in the ICU, where back-to-back seizures over the course of four days irreversibly damaged some of my brain cells, I had no ongoing mental health struggles. Of course, I knew what it felt like to be down, anxious, discouraged, and worried when life got hectic. You know, the usual stuff that comes with being a human being and tackling everyday struggles we all face. But I was unfamiliar with the deep despair that isn’t tied to any specific problems. It can be a beautiful day with everything going right, and I will still find myself pulled down into a dark pit feeling all alone.

While I know that God is always there, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder have a way of making me feel alone.

Why am I opening up like this?

Because I know I’m not the only one, and someone needs to know you are not alone. Even if the cause of your mental health issues is different from mine, the effect is the same. You are in agonizing pain some days and don’t know how you’ll make it through.

But you will, just as I will, because the Lord will perform every word He has spoken over your life and mine. He has pronounced blessings and favor over you. He still has work for you to do. Furthermore, His will shall be accomplished.

That’s why you must remember that feelings, however strong they may be, are not facts. God’s word is true, but everything that comes against it is a lie.

When life gets hectic and you feel like you cannot endure, declare this over yourself: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done” (Psalm 118:17 NIV).

And it will happen because God said it.  Listen, I’m not giving you this hopeful message simply because I’m having a great mental health day. Granted, I feel amazing at this moment. But even when I don’t, that doesn’t stop me from declaring the word of God and standing on it. Don’t let hard times stop you either.

“If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it” is one of my dad’s favorite sayings. He taught me at an early age not to let my faith be deterred by what I see or feel but emboldened by what I believe and know in my spirit.

Again, if God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.

I live my life by this mantra which has served me well in times of turmoil, pain and hardship. When I find myself in situations where it appears that it is all over for me, I cling tightly to the word of the Lord and confess it over my life. And my testimony is that God has never failed me yet. He can be trusted to keep every promise.

Believe His word.

By believing the word of the Lord, I have gotten out of my sick bed and refused death’s invitation to vacate this world. By faith I have seen the morbid predictions of specialists fail, as the word of God prospers. I have witnessed God reverse the negative reports of doctors who made definitive declarations over my life that made it seem like there was no way I’d make it out alive.

You see friend, in the Kingdom, circumstances don’t control outcomes. God’s word transforms outcomes. Have you forgotten that we serve a God who speaks things that are not as though they were—and then they manifest simply because He said so (Romans 4:17)? We serve the creator and maker of the whole universe.

Job 9:10 says, “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

God still performs wonders today. He still gives strength to the weak. He still holds His children close in times of difficulty. He still releases overwhelming blessings. He still heals diseases. Provides for every need. Causes goodness and mercy to follow you all the days of your life. And guides you safely from your valley of deep despair to your mountaintop of great joy.

Though your mental health may make you feel hopeless at times, you are never without hope. I believe God sent me to tell you that He is with you. He understands what you’re going through. And when it all gets to be too much, call upon His name. Confess His word. And remember this girl from Buffalo, NY, Dianna Hobbs, telling you that you are not alone. You can make it with the Lord on your side.

Now pray this prayer with me.

God, life gets hard sometimes. My feelings often contradict Your promises. But thank You for reminding me that despite how I feel, I can trust Your promises. I can stand firm upon Your word which sustains me, strengthens me, and empowers me to go through. As I receive and believe this word today, thank You for confirming for me that great things are in store for me and that You will honor my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Dianna Hobbs is founder of EEW Magazine Online and CEO of Empowering Everyday Women Ministries — a 501c3 nonprofit organization that shares the gospel and provides humanitarian aid to the hurting. She is also the writer of Your Daily Cup of Inspiration and executive producer of the companion podcast. Follow Dianna on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube. Sign up for her free ministry newsletter here.