suicide

February 7, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Walk It Out Podcast 85: Tenderhearted in Loss with Betty Cantrell Maxwell

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Betty Cantrell Maxwell: Tenderhearted in Loss

Miss America 2016

Today’s guest takes me back to when I was a little girl in a town called Weed, California. I remember my small house. I remember sitting there watching the Miss America pageant. Doesn’t every little girl dream of that? In this episode, you’ll discover one person who did not dream of becoming Miss America, yet she went on to become just that!

In this episode, I interviewed Betty Cantrell Maxwell, Miss America 2016 and author of the new book Miss Unlikely: From Farm Girl to Miss America. Betty is best known for representing Georgia as Miss America. She was also a national goodwill ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network and a partner with the USO. God has done amazing things with a small-town farm girl! And that why I chose 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 for today’s Walk It Out Scripture.

Walk It Out Scripture

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Here is a video of Betty being crowned Miss America!

And here is a glimpse of her amazing talent in the Miss America pageant!

After her year as Miss America, Betty released her first album, and she also married the love of her life, Spencer. Here’s a glimpse of their wedding album:

But Betty’s life included much heartache, including the recent suicide of her mother-in-law. Betty shares in today’s episode about being tenderhearted in loss.

My book is the story of my life. The life of an unlikely Miss America. My hope is that when people read my book, especially young people, will be able to relate very deeply to all of the vulnerability and experiences that I share in hopes of helping them get through their lives a little bit easier. Everyone can find something to relate to in this book. From growing up on a farm, through my awkward stage in middle school, dating and finding love, marriage, loss, grief, faith and of course following my dreams.

-Betty Maxwell

Here is a tenderhearted video of Spencer and Betty sharing about their loss.

Suicide is not easy to talk about. It’s important to let people know there is a place they can turn. I’ve referred many people to the Suicide Prevention Lifelife.

I also wrote a book with Kristen Anderson about how God saved her from her suicide attempt. You can read more about Kristen’s story here.

I know you are going to enjoy my conversation with Betty! You can listen above or on iTunes or on your favorite podcast streaming device.

Also, I’d love it if you share this episode with your friends and leave a review here.

Thanks to this week’s sponsor

Are you new here? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram. And make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

August 25, 2014 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Writing a True Story of Depression and Hope

Like everyone else, I was heartbroken to hear about the death of Robin Williams. I remember first falling in love with him when he played Mork on Mork and Mindy. I remember playing with the other kids in 5th grade saying, “Na-Nu Na-Nu.” Hearing of his death was hard enough, but to find out he died by suicide made my heart ache.

For many years I didn’t understand the pain of depression

…and then I had an opportunity to write an amazing story of a seventeen-year-old girl.

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.

One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

[Finish reading this post on InspiredByLifeAndFiction.com]

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression—consider getting a copy of Life, In Spite of Me.

Also, here is a prayer for you:

Dear Lord, be with my friend today. I thank you that you have known my friend from the moment you created her in her mother’s womb. I thank you, Lord, that you go before her. I thank you that—even if she cannot feel it—you will never leave her or forsake her. I pray that you will hear the cries of her heart, even when she cannot utter a prayer. I pray you will lift her out of the pit of destruction and set her feet on solid rock. Lord, be her shield and give her courage. Heal the broken places of her heart like only you can.

(Based on the verses Psalms 139, Deut. 31:8, Psalm 34:17, Psalm 40:1-3, Psalm 3:3)

With every book, I choose to write it because a story has captured my heart. With this book it’s amazing to see how lives have been changed. It’s my prayer that God will use Robin William’s passing to help others reach out and find the help and hope they need.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression, this is for you. @TriciaGoyer

Click To Tweet

Tricia Goyer Books On Sale! — click here for more info!

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

August 2, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Suicide: Warning Signs and Kristen Jane Anderson’s Redeemed Life

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook on life. Once a happy child, Kristen’s world darkened after three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a depression that didn’t seem to have an end. Then, on a cold January night at the age of 17, Kristen attempted suicide by laying down on a set of railroad tracks near her parents’ home. She was run over by 33 freight train cars at 50 mph, and both of her legs were severed, but miraculously, she survived!

Kristen and I wrote her book Life, In Spite of Me a few years ago, and God has done some wonderful things in her life! She’s gotten married and has a sweet baby boy. God continues to redeem her life. <click to tweet>

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Kristen again and she shared her story. Although it is difficult to hear, I believe it’s important to gain an understanding of the struggles one might go through when experiencing depression and/or suicidal thoughts.

listen here: https://triciagoyer.com/walkitout-podcast-023-kristen-anderson/

Here are some suicide warning signs:

appearing depressed or sad most of the time
having no hope for the future
Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, or trapped in a situation, and having excessive guilt or shame
talking or writing about death or suicide
withdrawing from family or friends
acting recklessly or impulsively
a change in personality, sleeping, or eating habits
decreased interest in most activities
dramatic mood changes
giving away prized possessions

You can connect with Kristen and her ministry, Reaching You, on Facebook!

Do you know someone who is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts? You can call and get help or direct them to the National Suicide Hotline.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 150 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram. Or perhaps this post spoke to you? Tweet about it!

Interested in some similar posts to this one? Check out these:

View this document on Scribd

suicide

Betty Cantrell Maxwell: Tenderhearted in Loss

Miss America 2016

Walk It Out Scripture

Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Betty Cantrell Maxwell

Connect with Tricia

Thanks to this week’s sponsor<img data-lazy-fallback="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-21908" src="https://triciagoyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/PrayEveryDay-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" />

Writing a True Story of Depression and Hope

For many years I didn’t understand the pain of depression

[Finish reading this post on InspiredByLifeAndFiction.com]

Also, here is a prayer for you:

Thanks to this week’s sponsor