Get The Hell Out of Your Life

Turning Pain Into Purpose; Ron's Encouragement Your Freedom in Jesus

• Ron Meyers • Season 6 • Episode 40

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What would you do if grief knocked the breath out of your life? We sit down with Janice, a military mom who lost her son Sean, an Air Force firefighter with a bright smile and stubborn independence, to suicide. Her story doesn’t end at the funeral. It turns—quietly, defiantly—into a mission: start real conversations, craft memorials that spark healing, and give people a safe place to say the hard parts out loud.

Janice takes us into the day everything changed and the slow, courageous decisions that followed: leaving a steady job, launching “Sean’s Story,” and transforming a craft table into a lifeline. She shares how remembrance decals and hand-painted tumblers aren’t just products; they’re prompts for the conversations that save lives. We unpack practical steps for helping loved ones at risk—recognizing behavior changes, asking direct questions, staying present, and connecting people with resources like 1-800-273-TALK—while pushing back against the silence that isolates so many families.

We also dive into a clear, grace-centered look at freedom in Christ. No spiritual hustling. No worthiness ladder. Just the steady truth that we are free from the crushing weight of the law, no longer ruled by sin, guided by the Spirit, and uncondemned. If you’ve ever felt judged, unworthy, or tired of trying to earn God’s favor, this conversation is a breath you can finally take. Acceptance is received, not achieved—and from that place of security, we can show up for ourselves and for each other.

Listen for a mix of raw honesty, practical tools, and steady hope. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear “you matter” today. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: who will you check on this week?

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Thank you for listening! Please help us by sharing this podcast with your friends and telling someone about what Jesus has done for you. If you would like to share your story, visit our website https://thepromoter.org/

SPEAKER_00:

It's time now to get the hell out of your life. A weekly broadcast with real people, sharing real struggles, and offering real hope. Today's show will encourage, inspire, and empower you to face life's challenges with a bold confidence and renewed hope. Now let's join our host, Ron Myers, the promoter.

SPEAKER_02:

Hello, my friends. It's so good to be with you. The end of October, cool weather. I absolutely love it. It's just in time for the Christmas City Gift Show, November 7th through the 9th, inside the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. More details soon. You know, one common question I get is Ron, is all you talk about Jesus? Well, the truth is I enjoy discussing a variety of topics just like everyone else, from football scores to current events. But friends, I hear often from people who feel rejected by the church or they feel guilty and they don't think they're worthy of God's love, and they walk around with this poor me attitude because the church has kind of condemned them even though they love Jesus. So when that happens, of course, I tell them about their freedom in Jesus and give them a peck talk, something the church needs to do more often. And I'll talk about that a little later in the show. But first, I want you to hear from Janice, an exhibitor at My Christmas City gift show, who turned her pain into purpose.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm a mom of four. I have four boys. So it's pretty crazy at my house when they were growing up. Lots of fights. And uh wife of 37 years or going on 37 years. That's awesome. Yeah, thank you. And a military family. My husband was in the military, my dad was in the military, and all four of my sons have served. So I'm a big advocate for our military and uh had three Air Force sons, and of course, my last one had to be a Marine. Had to do everything different.

SPEAKER_02:

Someone always has to be different.

SPEAKER_01:

He's our blockhead. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I was the Air Force, so wow. That's awesome. I love the connection. Well, tell us a little bit about Sean growing up, the type of boy he was.

SPEAKER_01:

Sean was different than my other boys. You know, you have your you have four kids, okay? And so, you know, you decide what you're gonna have for dinner, and Sean always wants something different. Never won what everybody else had. Everything, everything if everybody was going one way, Sean would want to go the other way. You know, he just was his own person like that. And he was like, you know, just a funny, funny kid. But he always had that, you know, quirkiness about him, you know, where people just didn't understand him. He had a crazy little sense of humor, but he was a lot of fun. And uh growing up, he was just he had such a good smile, such an outgoing kid and everything. And going through high school, you know, he he was he still had his spark of happiness, but you know, of course, and there's bull bullies and stuff. And Sean was a sensitive child. So, you know, he couldn't understand why people would pick on other people, you know. So that was tough, tough for him. But he decided he wanted to be a firefighter. And that kid can start a fire out of nothing, okay? So he would he decided to become a firefighter. And uh, and he doesn't just want to be a firefighter, he wanted to be a firefighter in the Air Force. So he waited until the billet came open so he can be a firefighter in the Air Force. And uh got stationed in Davis Mother Air Force Base in uh Tucson, Arizona, loved it and all, and had great crew that he worked with. Just a fun kid. And I hear so many people tell me, you know, he was so good to us and he helped us out with so many things because he would listen, he would give you a shirt off his back. He was a very giving person.

SPEAKER_02:

Wow. And then November 17th, 2014 changed your destiny forever. What happened?

SPEAKER_01:

I sure did. Yeah, you start your day off, you go to work, and everything's good. And uh by the end of the day, your day just turns upside down. So, of course, you know the people come to your house. Well, they didn't come to my house, I came into my husband's work in their uniform. And my husband said when they got out of the car, he knew. And we have like all of our boys are in the military at that time. One was in boot camp at the time for the Marines. And he said, which one? That's what he asked, and that's how he found out. My husband came to see me at Walmart, that's where I worked at the time. And he told me, he called me, and he said, I got something to tell you, but I need you to stay at work, I'll be there. Of course, I know something's wrong right away. And as a mom, I start calling everyone of my kids, and of course I can't get a hold of Sean. And so I got there and he told me what happened. And I'm like it's really weird. But at that moment I thought, you know, I'm not surprised by it because he was struggling and he had always struggled with self-harm because he was very sensitive on that point. But I also thought, okay, I guess his pain's over now. You know? But it didn't change our whole lives. Everything we do now is sit around sharing Sean's story, talking about Sean and getting his name out there because there's lots of Sean's out there. And also I feel like, you know, by me sharing Sean's story is gonna help others.

SPEAKER_02:

Now you say there's lots of Seans out there. What do you mean?

SPEAKER_01:

I mean there are a lot of people that struggle with self-harm, lots of suicide. I mean, it's it's unimaginable how many people there are. I talk to people all the time about Sean, I talk to them about suicide, and pretty much I have not met a person yet that has not been affected by suicide. I have not met one person yet. Either you've known somebody, you have had it personal struggles, or you have lost someone to suicide. So I've not met a person yet that's not been affected by it. So I really feel like that's something that we all need to share.

SPEAKER_02:

Listeners, I will be giving a toll-free number in a few minutes for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In fact, it's right here. I'll give it to you right now. It's 1-800-273-talk, T-E-T-A-L-K. And Janice, before you came in, I did a little research on my own in the state of Mississippi. And there's a suicide committed every 20 hours in the state of Mississippi. Yes, there is that's terrible.

SPEAKER_01:

And and we rank like 32 in the country for suicides. I don't know if you saw this with the uh populace for 100,000 deaths. Uh last year Mississippi had 445 for the the year, and uh uh we had 15 deaths for every 100,000, and then nationally is 14 deaths for every 100,000. So we're kind of you know inching on up there and you know, you don't want to be that.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, in February of 2017, you were working at Walmart and you were having a bad day, a real bad day, and you made a decision to do something. What was that?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, you know, I had a bad day at work. I felt yeah, that that that pressure all day that something wasn't right. I just was feeling like just troubled. So all day long I just was I couldn't get my stuff together. I was crying, I uh couldn't figure out what was going on, and I haven't cried in a while. I mean, at that moment, because I was you know three years past um Sean's death, but I'd always been looking for something to do. And I feel because of all the anxiety I was having that day, at one point I decided I am going to leave my job. I've I've I'm done with it working at Walmart. I'm gonna go and do what I feel like I need to do. And at that point, what I needed to do was to craft and I start a business called Sean's Story with a semicolon and share his story and let everyone know that it's not finished. You know, I'm sharing his story and I'm telling talking about it.

SPEAKER_02:

You said that you were at work and you could feel Sean screaming at you to find a new purpose for your life.

SPEAKER_01:

I did. I I know this sounds crazy, but Sean talks to me a lot and he talks to me in different little ways, and I have to listen to it. And I had been ignoring that voice because my husband's been telling me for like a year I need to leave my job, and I kept saying, No, no, I need to stay here. And so I was ignoring Sean's calling to have me leave my job. And at that day, it was just so much pressure on me, and I feel like it was Sean telling me, you need to go now. And I by the end of the day, when I decided to leave my job, I came home from work and this is like midnight because I get off late, and I went online, I paid off all of our bills. I had such a piece. I called my store manager the next day, I said, I'm giving my notice, very calm. And I kept thinking, this is so crazy, but because Sean told me to do this, and I truly believe he did, I felt very calm about it. I made the right decision, you know, and I'm I wouldn't look back. I don't look back. It's the best decision I ever made.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I loved your term. You were gonna turn your pain into purpose.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I found a purpose in my pain.

SPEAKER_02:

Uh, Janice, so okay, so you leave Walmart, you pay off your bills, you're ready to go out there. So what do you do?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, I started off doing a crafting business. I have a little cricket, and so I was making decals. And I made these decals called remembrance decals, which were ribbon-shaped, but they were in the color of, you know, either suicide awareness colors, or I've done either breast cancer with the pink, I've done, you know, dementia colors, ribbons, and I put on the ribbon the person's names and dates that they lost them. So remembrance of them. And I was selling the ribbons for like 10 bucks and donating all that money to AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Well, then it just kind of evolved into other craft, and now I'm doing like cups and stuff, which are like litter tumblers and painted tumblers and stuff for people. But what helps what I do it for is like a therapy kind of, and I and tell people I can't say it's cheaper than actual therapy because it really is more expensive. But but it's very calming. So I craft and make these things and I donate a portion of my proceeds to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. So to me, I couldn't afford to just donate a lot of money, but I can make things that I can make generate money off of and then donate that money.

SPEAKER_02:

Now you said earlier that there's a lot of Sean's out there. And I agree, I agree. I know some Sean's out there. What can we do? What can we tell folks out there that know a Sean to do?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, the biggest thing is to talk. Okay. If you see someone that you know, that their behavior's changed or they have suicide idology, idology, anyway, they're thinking about suicide. Uh, if you know someone, you just need to talk to them. Start that conversation, you know, just be there for them. And the biggest thing is conversation. Suicide is one of those very complex issues that's you can't say, this is the formula. Anyone doing this will die by suicide. That's not it. It could be anyone, and you, it's really hard to be aware of who they are because they hide it so well. They want to be happy, so they try to make themselves happier. But the biggest thing is to sit down and have conversations, real conversations, not on Facebook or a little tweet and say, Hey, how you doing? No, have the real conversation. Like I see that you look unhappy, you seem to be struggling. I want to help you. You know, be pointed on your conversations. Don't sit there and just say, Hey, how you doing? You know, so that's a big thing. Talk.

SPEAKER_02:

And if someone out there is listening and then say, Well, I don't have anybody to talk to and I'm feeling this, then we need to have them call the number, call a mental health provider, talk to a preacher, talk to someone, but you cannot be isolated, right?

SPEAKER_01:

No, don't isolate yourself and and don't feel like you're alone. Lots of people struggle with this. Lots of people struggle with self-harm. I know after lost my son, you know, I had a the lowest points in my life, but I also realized that I have other people in my life. I have other children, I have my grandchildren, my husband, my friends, and all my family. So there's more people out there that I need to stay here for. And everyone needs to know that. We all have people we need to stay here for.

SPEAKER_02:

So Sean's with you every day in spirit as you go out there. You showed me in your little she shed that you've got uh Sean's couch in there. So a little piece of Sean is on everything you do and every decal and every little cup. So you are sharing Sean with the world. My question is do you know when you go out there and after you have a conversation, do you walk away saying, I think I helped that person?

SPEAKER_01:

I absolutely do. I absolutely do. In fact, when I did the Christmas City booth, and uh, I haven't shared this with you on that, but I talked to a lot of people on my booth, and I actually have friends that come and help me so they can run the register or whatever, so I can just step aside and have conversations with people. And it was amazing the amount of people I actually connected with and was able to talk to about losses in their lives. I had people that came up to me and because they read about it, said that they also had struggled with with self-harm, with suicide. They had also lost someone to suicide. And I even had a person tell me that the work I do is I'm minister ministering. Yes. Yeah, I didn't even I never I never even thought of that that. But because I, you know, I I try to make that time to talk to everybody about it, I felt, I feel like I do make a difference. And I hear stories all the time about how much I have changed their lives, you know, if I have helped them.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I I think of the what there's a scripture verse that says in Romans 8 28, it says, all things work together for good for them that are called and love the Lord. What I'm saying is that God can take tragic, tragic situations, and you had the foresight and they get up and go to do something, and now you're making the difference in other people's lives because of the pain that you went through. As you said, uh uh you're turned your pain into a purpose.

SPEAKER_01:

Yes, exactly. Exactly. And you have to find some kind of purpose, not just through the pain, but with your life in general. You have to figure out what you're here for. And you know, it took losing my son to realize I'm here to help others, to give them hope, and to maybe help somebody else to change their lives, to help them realize that that they're important. They matter.

SPEAKER_02:

They did. Exactly. Exactly. They matter. I'm being their voice. Listeners, that phone number, toll-free 800-1800-273-talk. That is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. And anybody, when you're going through any kind of trials, crisis, tri whatever it is, please, please don't isolate yourself. Go talk to someone. Talk to someone. And you do your life matters. Your life matters. God created you with an incredible plan. And we also have to understand for those of us that believe in God that there is an enemy out there whose mission is to kill, steal, and destroy our dreams and our hopes and our lives. So there's a battle that takes place all of our lives, a spiritual battle between good and evil. Even I can be a crazy fanatic, wild man for Jesus on the streets, but at the same time, I can feel the spiritual warfare against me on a daily basis. And you have such a good spirit uh uh around you. So do you set a goal that when you go out every day you're gonna share Sean's story with at least one or two people? Or do things just happen?

SPEAKER_01:

It it just happens. I happen to be, I feel like I happen to be at the place I needed to be when I talk about it. I like I said, I talk to people all the time and they then they share their stories. I I actually worked with a lady that I have known for over 20 years at Walmart at the time. And when I started sharing Sean's story, I found out that she her son had died by suicide. And she said that the week after I started sharing Sean's story was the most she's ever talked about her son since she lost him.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

And it felt like it helped her freed her up to talk.

SPEAKER_02:

Wow. Listeners, that phone number one more time. Uh, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 1-800-273 talk. Oh, one thing, Janice. How can they get in touch with you or buy some decals or cups from you?

SPEAKER_01:

Okay, so I have a Facebook page and I do a lot of, I don't do Etsy because I want to do one-on-one. I like to talk to people personally. So you could just send me a message if you're interested in doing a cup or something. But my Facebook page is www.facebook.com backslash shawns dot story 2014. So uh I lost them in 2014, so that's why that's part of the name. So Sean's dot or period story 2014, and that's on Facebook.

SPEAKER_02:

And I know listeners, this is radio can't see through, but she has this beautiful little locket around her neck of Sean. How old was he in that picture?

SPEAKER_01:

This is his graduation picture from high school. So he was 18.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay, and he's got a little fire, fired or symbol in there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

And little charms. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And so that's a precious keepsake, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01:

Yes, it is.

SPEAKER_02:

Amen. It is. Well, so closing words, thoughts, anything you feel, as you said, you minister to people out there. So you've got the microphone, and there's somebody out there that is gonna that needs to hear what you're about to say. What would you be to anything?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh I guess the the big thing is remember that you matter. You matter to so many people. I don't even know you, and you matter to me. Okay. So I need you to know that that if you are struggling with something, reach out, talk to somebody. This talk number, the national suicide prevention number, the crisis number, they will talk to you. They will help you out. So that if you don't, if you can't talk to anybody, you can talk to them. There's also a text number you can text if you don't feel like talking. So there's so much that you can do. Um, and just remember that you matter. And if you forget that, remind yourself of that. You matter. And someone's gonna be whispering in your ear, your mind is gonna tell you things, and you gotta know, break through that. And just those two little words. You matter.

SPEAKER_02:

Right.

SPEAKER_01:

Remember it. You matter.

SPEAKER_02:

When I return your freedom in Christ.

SPEAKER_00:

You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life with your host, Ron Myers. Real stories, real struggles, and real hope.

SPEAKER_04:

From crafts to trees to sit so pretty. It's all my feeling of Christmas City.

SPEAKER_08:

Be a part of the holiday fun at Christmas City Implexi. Christmas TV Gift Show dot com for details. November seventh through the ninth.

SPEAKER_06:

Get the hell out of your life.

unknown:

Get the hell out of your life.

SPEAKER_02:

Welcome back, listeners. Today we're exploring the topic. What does it mean to be free in Christ? Being free in Christ means experiencing the liberty that comes from being released from the law and sin through the finished work of Jesus. This freedom isn't about doing whatever we want, rather, it's about living in the grace and truth that Jesus provides. So let me share four things about our freedom in Christ. One, freedom from the law. In Christ, we are no longer under the law, but under grace. The law was given to show us our need for a savior. Now that we are in Christ, we are led by the Spirit instead of the law. Galatians 5 18 and Romans 6 14. This means we are free from the impossible standards of the law and can live in the newness of the Spirit. Romans 7, verse 6. Number two, freedom from sin. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we have died to sin and are now alive in God. Sin no longer has dominion over us because we are under grace. Romans 6 2, 11 and 14. This freedom means we are no longer slaves to sin. Instead, we are now slaves of righteousness, empowered to live godly lives. Romans 6 18. Number three, freedom to live by the Spirit. Being free in Christ means that we are guided by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to bear the fruit of the Spirit and live in a way that pleases God. Galatians 5 22 23. This freedom enables us to embrace our new identity in Christ, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God. Number four, freedom from condemnation. In Christ there is no condemnation. We are fully forgiven and cleansed, allowing us to approach God with confidence as his beloved children. Romans 8, verse 1 and Hebrews 10 22. This freedom is a gift of grace, empowering us to live in the fullness of our identity in Christ, experiencing his love, joy, and peace in all aspects of our lives. Now you may be wondering, but Ron, people keep telling me I need to do more and read more for Jesus to be pleased and for me to receive blessings. Friends, it's important to remember that your relationship with Jesus is not based on what you do or how much you read, but on what he has already done for you. The finished work of Jesus on the cross means you are fully accepted, loved, and blessed in him. Ephesians 1, 3 through 6. We are complete in Christ. Colossians 2.10, lacking nothing. This means you don't need to strive for more acceptance or blessings from God. You already have everything you need for life and godliness through your knowledge of Him. 2 Peter 1 3. We need to rest in his finished works. Jesus declared it is finished on the cross. John 19, verse 30. This means the work required for salvation and acceptance is complete. You don't need to add to it with your efforts. Instead, you can rest in his grace and live from the security of your identity in him. Living by grace is essential. The Christian life is about living by grace through faith, not by works. Ephesians 2, verse 8 and 9. While reading the Bible and growing in your understanding of God's word is beneficial, it should be motivated by a desire to know him more, not out of a sense of obligation to earn his favor. Friend, you are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1 3. God's blessings are not contingent on your performance, but are a result of your union with Christ. It's natural to want to grow in your relationship with God, but remember that growth comes from abiding in Christ and allowing his spirit to work in you. John 15, verse 4 and 5. So, friend, trust in his love and grace and let that be your motivation in all you do.

SPEAKER_09:

Hi, I'm Dr. Andrew Farley, host of the Grace Message. Got a Bible question, struggling with a personal issue, wondering about a tricky verse? At BibleQuesti.com, you'll get clear, grace-based answers in 10 seconds or less. No fluff, no confusion, just practical biblical truth. Ask anything, anytime, and experience the power of God's love. Visit BibleQuestions.com. That's BibleQuestions.com. Your go-to for biblical clarity.

SPEAKER_08:

Ron, we'll be back in a moment to wrap up today's conversation right after a word from our sponsor.

SPEAKER_04:

From Christ.

SPEAKER_10:

How do you get the hell out of your life? Get on your knees and cry out to the Lord. He hears you right where you are.

SPEAKER_07:

How to get the hell out of your life? Well, you replace it with Jesus. We gotta be born again, born of the Spirit, and that's by trusting Jesus Christ, turning from our sins and trusting Jesus. How do you get the hell out of your life? Oh gosh.

SPEAKER_02:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

SPEAKER_07:

Turn to Jesus.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, friends, as we close out today's show, I want you to remember this: that you are deeply loved and cherished. God has given you a new heart and a new spirit, and you are a new creation. You are not defined by your past mistakes or failures, but by his love and grace. You are forgiven and cleansed, and nothing can separate you from his love. Amen. I will be back next week with more stories of God's faithfulness. In the meantime, get the hell out of your life is available on your favorite podcast platform. Jesus is on the move, so why not tell someone this week what Jesus did for you? Until next time, this is Ron Myers reminding you that I love you, Jesus loves you, and when you give your life to Jesus, you not only get the hell out of your life, you will experience the freedom in Christ.

SPEAKER_00:

Today's show is proudly underwritten by the Christmas City Gift Show. Mark your calendars for November 7th through the ninth and experience the magic inside the Christmas City Gift Show, inside the Mississippi Coast Convention Center, located on the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, visit ChristmasCity Gift Show.com. If you would like to be a guest and share your story of God's amazing grace, visit our website, thepromoter.org, and click the share your story tab button. Thanks for listening. Join us next week for another edition of Get the Hell Out of Your Life. Real stories, real struggles, and real hope.

SPEAKER_03:

From Christmas Don't miss out on the holiday magic of Christmas City.

SPEAKER_08:

More details at Christmas City Gift Show.com. November seventh through the ninth.