Original title: O Desafio Dos 21 Dias. Copyright Š 2020 by Pontal, Marcos. ISBN: 9798614401986 The contents of this book may be reproduced only with the disclosure of the source. Cover: Marcos Alexandre Machado (Marcos Pontal). Author review: Marcos Alexandre Machado and Roseli Laurência Souza Machado.
All rights reserved, by Marcos Alexandre Machado. Rua Fernando Costa, 278 - Vila Adelaide de Freitas 14180 - 000 - Pontal - SP Tel .: (16) 3953-2844 - Watsaap: + 551698107-9175 E-mail: marcosmachado@visaoespiritual.com.br Website: www.velivros.visaoespiritual.com.br
SUMMARY Preface..................................................................... 5 Challenge 1 - Can't find a way out …....................... 6 Challenge 2 - Find a professional ............................ 7 Challenge 3 - Feelings of low self-esteem or hopelessness ...................................... .................... 8 Challenge 4 - Technology ...................................... 10 Challenge 5 - Capitalism ....................................... 12 Challenge 6 - Bullying ........................................... .15 Challenge 7 - Intolerance ...................................... 16 Challenge 8 - Anxiety ............................................. 18 Challenge 9 - Loss of job ....................................... 19 Challenge 10 - Social stress .................................. 20 Challenge 11 - Family problems ............................ 21 Challenge 12 —Social relations ............................ 22 Challenge 13 - Trauma .......................................... 23 Challenge 14 - Personal losses ............................. 24 Challenge 15 - Self-destructive behaviors …......... 25 Challenge 16 - Physical illness and chronic pain .. 27 Challenge 17 - Exposure to suicide by other people ............................... .................................... 28
Challenge
18
-
Destructive
and
violent
events .................................................................... 29 Challenge 19 - Rest ............................................... 30 Challenge 20 - Family of faith ................................ 31 Challenge 21 - Depression .................................... 32 Afterword ............................................................... 33 Thanks.................................................................... 34 About the author........................................ ............ 35
PREFACE - 5
PREFACE In the world, 800 thousand people take their own lives each year; in Brazil, more than 13 thousand such deaths occurred in 2016, every 40 seconds a person dies in the world. In order to help and guide, I wrote this book of challenges, and I challenge you who are thinking about taking your own life. Taking up the 21-day challenge, which I describe in that book.
.CHALLENGE 1 - 6
CHALLENGE 1 - CANNOT FIND OUT Nowadays, several people walk in the wrong ways and these paths can cause the person to get involved in life, arriving at a moment in which they cannot find the way out, so they only see in front of them the desire to commit suicide, but know that God sent his son to earth and sacrificed him for everyone's sins to save us. What is impossible for man, for God nothing is impossible, He can “unfold his life”. Jesus looked at them and replied: “It is impossible for man, but not for God; all things are possible for God ”. Mark 10:27 Challenge 1: Find a Christian church, and ask for help.
CHALLENGE 2 - 7
CHALLENGE 2 - LOOK FOR A PROFESSIONAL To overcome depression and also the desire for suicide, the help of a professional, therapies and others, is always recommended. "Listen to advice and accept instructions, and you will end up being wise." Proverbs 19:20.
Challenge 2: Go to the doctor.
CHALLENGE 3 - 8
CHALLENGE
3 - FEELINGS OF
LOW SELF-ESTEEM OR OF HOPE For the word of God is alive and effective, and sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates to the point of dividing soul and spirit together and measuring them, and judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses, injuries, needs, persecutions, anxieties for Christ's sake. Because when I'm weak, then I'm strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9,10 Challenge 1: Think positive, don't speak negative
CHALLENGE 3 - 9
words, because words have power.
CHALLENGE 4 –10
CHALLENGE 4 - TECHNOLOGY Nowadays most people access social networks (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and others), this is good, but it has the downside too, it brings people far away and distances them up close. But this is not the only problem, sometimes we compare ourselves with other people and this is bad. We see travel photos of friends and family, and we don't have the money to travel. We see people in shape, and we can't get in shape. . People with nice clothes, and we can't afford to buy the same clothes. This creates discomfort, the person begins to feel bad, and even revolt with life and with God. ..Why does the other person have it and I don't? Don't worry about it, worry about your salvation, if possible decrease the hours on social networks, if this is making you feel bad. So don't worry about food and clothes to wear. It is
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CHALLENGE 4 - 11
the Gentiles who struggle with these things, but your heavenly Father knows perfectly well that they need all of these. Give, therefore, priority to the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will give you these things. Don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Your evil is enough every day! Matthew 6: 31-34. Just surfing the internet, reading a newspaper and turning on the TV will often discourage us from bad news, thus leaving feelings of low self-esteem or hopelessness. Challenge 4: Make a 21-day fast, without reading the newspaper, internet and TV, take the test, you will not regret it.
CHALLENGE 5 - 12
CHALLENGE 5 - CAPITALISM We live in a world that in order to be happy we need to pay, people work even in various jobs so that they have financial conditions to acquire more comfort in life. Some people even put it in their heads that to be happy they need to have several cars and several houses, a bigger house, a better cell phone, better clothes and others. But does the sacrifice pay off? I know several people who had depression because they did not want to rest just to work, I even know a person who was fired from his job because he refused to work less, because he had to get money to renovate the house, in the end this person was fired (because it's hard to find a boss who wants to be with a sick employee). I guided that person to work less and she told me that her “psychologist� had already guided her too, but even so, she did not
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CHALLENGE 5 - 13
obey. Do not worry about “material goods�, worry about your health, rest, enjoy your family, because there is no good material in the world that buys moments with the family. He said, I will do this; I will tear down my granaries and build them larger, and keep all the harvest and my goods; and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have many goods in storage for many years; rest, eat, drink, treat yourself. But God said to him, Fool, this night your soul will demand of you; and the things you have gathered, for whom will they be? So is he who treasures for himself, and is not rich with God. Luke 12: 18-21
Challenge 5: Visit a relative who has not seen you for years.
CHALLENGE 6 - 14
CHALLENGE 6 - BULLYING Several people have already been victims of bullying and each person reacts differently to the other. Some decide to kill their persecutors and then commit suicide and others decide to suffer silence and commit suicide. Don't suffer alone, look for your family and authorities and also through the CVV 188 complaint center for valuing life. And ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength to face this problem. "I will call on the name of the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I will be free from my enemies." Psalm 18-3
Challenge 6: Ignore it, the more you get nervous, the more you will get on your feet.
CHALLENGE 7 - 15
CHALLENGE 7 - INTOLERANCE Several people suffer because of “intolerance”, behavior that can lead to suicide, generally in Brazil, the majority of cases that lead to suicide are homosexuals, who are often persecuted by family members and friends. We must respect everyone, although the Bible says that “homosexuality” is a sin, it also preaches love, guiding is one thing to pursue is another. We must always respect others, regardless of sexual orientation, religion or race. I learned that I must love everyone but not agree with their actions. If you are being a victim of persecution. Now that there is a loving God with open arms waiting for you to give you strength and help you. “When they saw this, the disciples James and John asked: Lord, do you want us to make fire fall from heaven?
.CHALLENGE 7 - 16 to destroy them? But Jesus, turning around, rebuked them, saying: You do not know what kind of spirit they are, for the Son of man did not come to destroy the lives of men, but to save them;� Luke 9: 54,55 Challenge 7: Don't pay in kind, treat that person with respect.
CHALLENGE 8 - 17
CHALLENGE 8 - ANXIETY Anxiety can also disrupt people's lives, be calm and wait on God. Do your part to fight your problems and to achieve your goals, but don't be anxious, don't expect an immediate response, be patient. Because anxiety can get in your way. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares about you. 8.1 Peter 5: 6-7 Challenge 8: Practice physical activities.
CHALLENGE 9 - 18
CHALLENGE 9 - LOSS OF JOB Several people in Brazil and the world have already lost their jobs, some of them go to fight, look for a new job and manage to find a job. But that is not always the case, other people cannot manage, and, in the end, they end up wanting to end their own lives. Now that for God nothing is impossible, only He can change a person's life, with His help it is possible for a person to get a job. But Jesus, looking at them, said: For men it is impossible, but not for God, because with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27
Challenge 9: Change your look.
CHALLENGE 10 - 19
CHALLENGE 10 - SOCIAL STRESS Difficulties and problems are natural in life, such as breaking love bonds, being rejected by a group of friends, having demands at work or perceiving the social threat of dismissal are situations that harm us, leading to suffering and even suicide, but the word of God says: "Come to me, all who are tired and overwhelmed, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 �. Seek help from God, so that you can overcome your problem. Challenge 10: Sleep well.
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.CHALLENGE 11 - 20
CHALLENGE 11 – FAMILY PROBLEMS Nowadays, several people have family problems, such as fights and disagreements. It is always important to keep together, it is not good to be fighting with anyone, and this can lead to serious consequences, such as anguish, depression and even suicide. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but raise them in the doctrine and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 4 But if someone is not taking care of his own and especially of his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than the infidel. 1 Timothy 5: 8 Challenge 11: Make amends, ask forgiveness for
.CHALLENGE 11 - 21 the one you fought with.
CHALLENGE 12 - 22
CHALLENGE 12 - SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS It is always good for people who are going through problems, to have a good relationship with people, because if they don't, it can cause serious problems, such as loneliness and others. And you too, putting all due diligence into this, add your faith to virtue, and to virtue, to science, and to science, temperance, and temperance, patience, and patience, piety, and piety, fraternity, and fraternity, love. 2 Peter 1: 5-7 Challenge 12: Look for new friends.
CHALLENGE 13 - 23
CHALLENGE 13 - TRAUMAS Unfortunately in the world there are several people who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse, and these people usually suffer their whole lives, and that is sad. Usually people are able to get rid of these traumas by having faith in Jesus, because only he is able to strengthen people in these cases. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are left behind and moving on to those that are ahead, I proceed to the target �(Philippians 3:13, 14). Challenge 13: Get therapy. ‌................................................................
CHALLENGE 14 - 24
CHALLENGE 14 - PERSONAL LOSSES Personal loss is part of everyone's life, regardless of religion. Each person reacts to it when it happens, we must always look up and ask God for strength when the losses happen and follow. Because regretting for a long time will only make the situation worse, crying is normal, but only for a few days. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5: 4
Challenge 14: Accept your loss, because life is short and passes quickly, losses are part of life, accept and live!
CHALLENGE 15 - 25
CHALLENGE 15 - SELFDESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS Many people have already lost the will to live, so they just start to “kill themselves� gradually, taking medicines that they know are damaging their health, eating foods that they know they shouldn't, and that is sad. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, kindness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5: 22-23 There was no temptation for you that was not common to men. And God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when they are tried, he will provide an escape himself, so that they can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
CHALLENGE 15 - 26
Challenge 15. Replace bad habits with healthy ones.
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CHALLENGE 16 - 27
CHALLENGE 16 - PHYSICAL DISEASE AND CHRONIC PAIN One thing pulls the other, in many cases depression influences suicide, but it ends up harming the body, giving “chronic pain�, so it is important to always seek strength in God, pray, that we live happy and with quality of life in that world. Is there anyone among you who is ill? May he send for the elders of the church, that they may pray over him and anoint him with oil, in the name of the Lord. Prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5: 14-15 Challenge 16: Stay away from habits that can make the disease worse.
CHALLENGE 17 - 28
CHALLENGE 17 - EXPOSURE TO SUICIDE OF OTHER PEOPLE. The bible says it's better to go to the funeral than to go to a party. But this is not always a good thing, especially in the case of people who have lost the will to live and think about suicide. There have been several cases of people who went to the wake of another person who committed suicide and in the same week committed suicide, so if you are thinking about suicide, do not go to the wake of any suicide. The wisdom of the prudent man is to discern his way, but the foolishness of fools is deceptive. Proverbs 14: 8
Challenge 17: Avoid reading stories that talk about suicide or going to suicide wake.
CHALLENGE 18 - 29
CHALLENGE 18 - DESTRUCTIVE AND VIOLENT EVENTS Many people, victims of wars or other violent events, end up committing suicide because they do not know how to deal with the pains and losses they had, but know that there is a God capable of changing your life, but you need to forgive the perpetrators and all those that has mistreated. Support each other and forgive any complaints you have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)
Challenge 18: Cultivate a hobby, do something to distract your mind.
CHALLENGE 19 - 30
CHALLENGE 19 - REST If God Himself, rested on the 7th day. Who are we not to rest? We all need to rest and if that doesn't happen it can cause several problems, as many already mentioned above. Thus, there is still a sabbatical rest for the people of God; for everyone who enters God's rest also rests from his works, as God rested from his. Therefore, we strive to enter this rest, so that no one will fall, following that example of disobedience. Hebrews 4: 9-11
Challenge 19: Rest
CHALLENGE 20 – 31
CHALLENGE 20 - FAMILY OF FAITH We must always prioritize our blood family, but also together with the family of faith, because that way we can solve problems more easily. And let us consider one another, in order to encourage ourselves to love and good works, not leaving our congregation, as is the custom of some; rather, admonishing one another; and all the more than you see that day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24-25
Challenge 20: Travel with church members, live in communion.
CHALLENGE 21 - 32
CHALLENGE 21 - DEPRESSION Depression is something that has been growing a lot in the world, several reasons can lead to depression, many of those mentioned in this book, always go to the doctor, never stop looking for professional help, but also seek help from God, why to God nothing is impossible.
Isaiah 41:10 â€œâ€Ś fear not, therefore, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will fort ale you, I will help you, I will support you with my right hand.
Challenge 21: Share your emotions with a friend.
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POSTER - 33
POSTER Our life is so busy, often there is no time for anything, not even for rest. Get organized and take time to rest and reflect on your choices. Losses are something natural in life, but victories too, celebrate in victories, cry in defeats, and when you go through a mourning cry, but don't park in that morning. Strive so that this cry does not last for several years, raise your head, this life is not easy, because mourning losses will only make the situation worse. I hope I helped you in this challenge, and that from today you live in newness of life in Christ, and start to face life different by turning it around. Jesus bless.
THANKS - 34
THANKS I come first to thank Jesus, my wife Roseli Laurência, my mother Maria Machado and my brother Father Marcelo Machado. I am forever grateful to my God. I also thank the IMUP church (Igreja Missionária Unida de Pontal), Pastor Benedito Gabriel Santos, his wife Joana Dárc Santos, and my disciples, Maurício and Lourdes, and finally, Célula Grupo Familiar Caçadores. Jesus bless you all!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 35
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the city of Pontal-SP (Interior of São Paulo), Marcos after taking a technical course in computer science and not getting a job, started collecting recyclables on the street, after 1 year he managed to find a job in a plant, after some years ago he took a technical course in chemistry which is the current profession. As he always liked writing he got involved in this world In March 2019, he wrote the books “The History of Christian Movies in Brazil - Edition with 462 Photos” and “The History of Christian Movies in Brazil Edition without Photos”, both with the same content only change that 1 has a photo and no , in September he wrote the book "The Restitution of Love" where this same 21-day challenge is also found. ..And in December of the same year he was nominated as one of the finalists of the FICC staying.
.ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 36 in 3rd place at the International Christian Film Festival event held in Rio de Janeiro. In the "Game" category because of the game "The history of Christian films in Brazil", based on the book with the same name. In 2019 residents of 6 countries (Brazil, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Italy) read the books he wrote.