I hope this letter finds you well. My heart feels pressed to share something deeply personal and urgent with you. It comes from a place of pain but also of hope—hope that through sharing, I might encourage even one person to find light in the midst of darkness.
Over 33 years ago, I lost a dear friend, Charlie, to suicide. The memory of that day—lifting my friend from his noose in the dorm room—is a wound that still echoes in my heart. It was one of the darkest seasons of my life. Alongside the pain of his loss came an accusing voice, relentless in its blame: Why didn’t you notice? Why weren’t you a better friend? The weight of that blame was unbearable, sinking deeper into my brokenness like a dagger twisting in an open wound.
Perhaps you’ve felt this kind of darkness too. Maybe you’ve lost someone dear or made a mistake so big it feels like you’ll never recover. Maybe you’ve fallen into a pit you can’t climb out of, no matter how hard you try. If that’s where you are today, I beg you—don’t walk through it alone.
Cry out for help. Reach out to your family, your closest friend, a counselor, or a trusted person at your school or church. If you can’t find anyone, I encourage you to contact Our Community’s Heart. We are here to listen, to stand with you, and to help you carry the weight of your pain. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, call a suicide prevention hotline. Please, please don’t choose to exit. The ripple effects of that choice devastate those who love you, leaving them with a burden of guilt and pain they may carry for a lifetime.
In the deepest darkness, it’s hard to see a way out. But there is light on the other side of the shadows. You are not a mistake. You are not beyond help. You are a precious treasure, deeply loved by the Creator of heaven and earth. His love is a healing balm for every wound, a light to guide you through the storm, and a hope that restores joy to the most broken heart.
Even when it feels like the darkness will last forever, the truth is, healing is possible. Your suffering is not the end of your story. You are meant to grow, to overcome, and to become the person God created you to be. And as painful as it is now, this trial can lead to your breakthrough—a step closer to the life you were made for.
At the end of every message I share, I like to include a song because music has a unique way of lifting our spirits. I encourage you to listen to the song “Glow in the Dark” by Vin and Katarina. Let it remind you that even in the darkest moments, there’s a light within you waiting to shine.
You are loved, you are valued, and you are never alone. If you’re in need of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
With hope and prayer,
Scott Duffey
Our Community’s Heart