My friend died.... please pray....

[Mayerpod]

I just found out that a friend of mine overdosed on heroine and died. She was only 22 years old and she has a one year old little girl.... This friend and I haven't been in touch much lately but we did briefly hang out a couple months ago. Exactly four years ago we were seeing our favorite band in North Carolina for a week... one of the best weeks in my life.

I am in absolute disbelief... I really don't believe that my friend is dead because we haven't spoken so much lately ... it's hard for me to grasp the fact that she's gone. Her best friend called me bawling and I couldn't do anything but listen and try to comfort her... it's so hard to comfort someone over a phone. What can you really say?

I am reading entries that my friend wrote in her LiveJournal and the signs were so clear... she spoke about the pain she was going through and even dabbling with heroine.... but I never read these entries until now.... and it's too late. This could have been prevented and nobody helped her.... I feel guilty but is it really possible to help someone that has turned to drugs? And is it possible to keep tabs on all of your acquaintances lives? Maybe I've been a little selfish.... I have been focusing so much on on strengthening my faith in God, becoming a better person.... and surrounding myself with better people... that I forgot to be a better friend... and help others find their purpose. It's hard to do this when I, myself, am a new Christian.... but lives can be saved.

Are there any verses in the bible that are comforting in a tragedy like this one? I don't know what to say right now... maybe God does.... I know that my friend believed in God but she did not have an organized religion.... Please pray that she is with Jesus right now.... Please pray for her daughter... and her family, friends and loved ones... Man, I can't grasp this at all....

Thanks for listening.

 

[devoted daughter]

Oh dear...back with you momentarily...looking up passages, and to take a moment... Sacred pause.

 

[2Timothy2]

I don't know if this will help much, but try this link. Just don't blame yourself or your desire to grow in the Lord. You know I'm praying for you already, and I'll also pray for your friend and her family. Don't forget to take your pain to the One Who can do something about it. He truly cares for you.

Grace and Peace
Chris

 

[Live4God]

MP, I TRULY HOPE THERE IS A VERSE in this page that you and or Family FEEL COMFORTED BY! My Favorite Bible Verses! may GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW & FOREVER! L4G

 

[Cat59]

for you Mayerpod

[bible]John 14:1[/bible]

Jesus tells us to trust him. Even though there are times when we do not understand, where are hearts are aching and troubled, He tells us to trust Him. I will pray that God will guide you and strengthen you now, and send you His peace in your heart. I will also pray for your friend's family, especially her daughter, that in this tragic time, they will receive help.
Asking this in the name of Jesus the Lord
Amen

 

[Archangel]

I hope in Jesus that God shall bring you and others comfort and encouragement.

God has a promise for those who will come to him for his comfort:

They will be his people, and God himself with be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

- Revelation 21:3-5

 

[Live4theLord]

I am saying many 's for you, your friend and her family. May God be with you all during this difficult time.

God Bless,
Charity

 

[justabitofhelp]

LORD,
Please be with and comfort Mayerpod as she struggles to deal with the loss of her friend. Give her Your reassurance that she is NOT to blame in any way shape or form for this tragedy. None of us can keep track of all of our acquaintences. Give her strength to persevere in her quest to be a better Christian & help her come to the realization that the best Christians are those who find the courage to LET GO and LET GOD have control of their lives. Even those of us who KNOW this have trouble relinquishing control (guilty). Bless her abundantly LORD and help her to be a blessing unto others. And, in so doing I know that they will be a blessing unto her as well.
In JESUS Precious Name we pray.

 

[caitlincares]

I just found out that a friend of mine overdosed on heroine and died.
I am in absolute disbelief... I really don't believe that my friend is dead ... What can you really say?

I feel guilty but is it really possible to help someone that has turned to drugs? And is it possible to keep tabs on all of your acquaintances lives?

Thanks for listening.

A couple of thoughts come to mind...

First NO you can not keep tabs on all your acquaintenaces. You are not at fault.

I had a very dear friend die when I was about your age.
I had a hard time believing he was gone.
Denial is part of the grieving process.

In dealing with your friend the best thing you can do for each other is just be there to talk.
Talk about the good times shared. Cry, do whatever you need to do.
I had no one who wanted to here me talk about my dead friend.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk anymore.

Praying for you, your friend and families involved.

 

[devoted daughter]

Mayer

I was just about to link you to the grief forum, but I see that you found it. I hope that you get all the support you need. I regret that it took me so long to get back to post you, but I got kicked off line...

I am so sorry for your loss.
It is terribly difficult to lose someone, and there seems to be so much guilt and even more frustration when we lose someone this way. When we bare witness, it is like watching someone slowly commit suicide. Addiction is incredibly difficult to watch, and we can feel so helpless as an observer to see someone in it’s grasp. It breaks my heart to hear that she slipped through the cracks, so to speak, like so many sensitive people who throw caution to the wind by self medicating in a dangerous way to fill a hole in their heart to escape the pain they feel in life.
I hope that one day you will be able to read her journal without the depth of pain that you feel now, and I hope that you will release any guilt that might be associated with losing touch, or feeling like you ‘should have known’.
Yes, it is possible to help someone who has turned to drugs, but there is very little one can do to help, unless they want to help themselves. No, you can’t keep tabs on people when you lose touch, any more than you can when you see them on a regular basis. I honestly doubt that many people knew, because as presumptuous as it may sound, it is simply and cruelly the nature of the ‘beast’. People who may admit their ‘use’ still tend to hide the extent of their pain and their problem. Generally, most people live in denial until they decide to get help, or until it’s just too late. I don’t know how you could have been a better friend, even if you were always available to her because of the grasp heroine obviously had on her. If I had to guess, you would only have been closer to witness her self destruction, that is, if she had even showed it outwardly. You said that she wrote about “dabbling”; I don’t have any judgment toward her, or anyone, but people don’t dabble in heroine, so please try not to ‘beat yourself up’ with remorse over what you might have done to help. Her own use of the word “dabbling” is a sign of denial, and were you able to see her more often, I suspect that she would have told you the same thing in the hopes that you would worry less about her use. But it would have been the drug talking, and not your friend intentionally trying to lie to you.
When someone dies, it is the survivors who remain with lessons to learn, and you can still be a good friend by lending your support in any way you choose to now… to her friends, her family, her daughter, whomever. Perhaps you may choose to focus predominately on your own grief, to heal and move forward, for yourself, as well as for others in your life now, and those who will cross your path in the future. We don’t have power over others, but you have power in your own life through choice and future actions, and the lessons life brings your way. That you can own, and it is between you and our Father.
I don’t know many quotes, but I’m sure you will get many from other people that you might find helpful. Those that come to mind are:

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and their shall be no more death,
neither sorrow or crying,
neither shall there be any more pain:
For the former things are passed away
Rev. 21:4

"For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life."
-- John 3:16

Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil:
for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me. Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life: and I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 31
9 Be merciful to me, O Lord , for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.

John 16 22
So with you: Now is your time of grief,
but I will see you again and you will rejoice,
and no one will take away your joy.

John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Heavenly Father, please embrace our sister, Mayer’s friend, and may she find comfort in your arms, and rest in peace. Please bring comfort to her family and friend’s during this difficult time, and in the days ahead; may they have strength and perseverance. Help them to mend their hearts, and have forgiveness and understanding. May they hold tightly to their memories that she may live on in their hearts. Father, please help and protect her child today and in the future. May this child come to know her mother better through the memories and stories from those who loved her. INJC. :crosself:

 

[PinkLoveBall]

All of you are so beautiful and kind Thank you for helping my friend Amber come to realize that she should not feel guilty. See, Amber? You guys are a great resource for my strength and Amber's strength lately, so I will pray tonight for all of you who have replied to Amber's thread and even those who didn't reply but have kept her and her deceased friend in their prayers.

Amber, tomorrow when we go to church, lets make Penny our main focus. Everything will be just fine!

 

[devoted daughter]

Ah...Angie !???

Bless you, Amber, for being mindful of your friend...Penny?

God bless and bring you peace and comfort. May she rest in peace. This will remain in my prayers.

DD

PS. just moved from Asheville, sister. Who was in concert back then?

 

[Mayerpod]

Words cannot express how kind all of you are for your concerned words and prayers. I am shocked that so many people have opened up their hearts and have taken the time to sincerely pray for my friend and her loved ones.

I have so much more faith in people because of Jesus. It is hard to keep faith in a world so corrupt but this forum proves that there are genuinely selfless people out there. I am inspired to be a better person and a better friend because of amazing people like you.

I sent this thread to friends so that they can also find comfort in your prayers. I don't know what to say right now but all of you do---and that in itself is a huge comfort to so many people. I will personally thank and pray for all of you.

And send blessings your way... Angie, I am looking forward to church tomorrow. I will PM you.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

This is my favorite quote. When I began to read the bible this whole passage really captured me. I thank God, Angie and all of you for helping me find and keep faith in my life. :crosself:

 

[Jessica Lauren]

of course

 

[mithmetwen]

Hi Mayer,

I just wanted to tell you that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I lost a school friend earlier this year when she commited suicide, and I went through such a struggle. As much as you may blame yourself for what has happened, you are certainly not to blame. Sadly, and tragically, such things happen in life, and there is often little warning or explanation for it.

This is a tough time for you to go through and be assured that you have not only my prayers, but those of the many wonderful people on this forum.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

God bless you and be with you throughout this time and always
Lx

PS: "God always answers us in the deeps, never in the shallows of our soul." - Amy Carmichael

 

[Star_Girl]

I've never been good with saying comforting things, but God Bless, and I will be praying for you. It is the hardest thing to lose someone and not know it is coming, but your friend is in the hands of God now. Trust that he will do the right thing, and try to move on... God Bless!