Josh McDowell - My Friend is Struggling with...Thoughts of Suicide

Thoughts
of
Suicide

Josh McDowell
& Ed Stewart

2000 Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Scripture quotations used in this book are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McDowell, Josh.

My friend is struggling withthoughts of suicide / by
Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart.
p. cm. (Project 911 collection)
Summary: Uses the story of a teenage boy who is worried
about a friend to explore the problem of suicide and what to do for
someone who has suicidal thoughts.

ISBN 0-8499-3792-2
1. YouthSuicidal behaviorPreventionJuvenile litera ture. 2. SuicideJuvenile literature. 3. SuicidePrevention Juvenile literature. [1. Suicide. 2. Christian life.] I. Stewart,
Ed. II. Title. III. Series.

HV6546 .M39 2000
362.28dc21

00-028110

CIP

Printed in the United States of America
00 01 02 03 04 05 QDT 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Appendix
More About Intimate Life Ministries

W e would like to thank the following people:David Ferguson, director of Intimate Life Ministries of Austin, Texas, has made a tremendous contribution to this collection. Davids influence, along with the principles of the Intimate Life message, is felt throughout each book in this collection. David has modeled before us how to be Gods comfort, support, and encouragement to others. We encourage you to take advantage of the seminars and resources that Intimate Life Ministries offers. (See pages 4954 for more information about how this ministry can serve you.)

Dave Bellis, my (Josh) associate of twenty-three years, labored with us to mold and shape each book in this collection. Each fictional story in all eight books in the PROJECT 911 collection was derived from the dramatic audio segments of the Youth in Crisis Resource, which Dave personally wrote. He was also responsible for the design and coordination of the entire PROJECT 911 family of resources (see pages 5558). We are so very grateful for Daves talents and involvement.

Joey Paul of Word Publishing not only believed in this entire project, but also consistently championed it throughout Word.

JOSH MCDOWELL
ED STEWART

T he youth-group car wash raised $430 for summer church-camp scholarships, but it will probably be better remembered for the riotous water fight. During a lull in the parade of dirty cars, the high-school seniors, led by energetic Sean Williams, commandeered the two hoses and opened fire on the rest of the group. The underclassmen fought back gamely with buckets and sponges filled with soapy water.

Caught in no-mans land during the battle were youth-group sponsors Doug and Jenny Shaw. But the Shaws, who claimed to be thirty-something, had come prepared. As soon as the water started flying, Doug pulled an arsenal of high-powered water guns from the trunk of his car, and he and Jenny opened fire on everyone. The good-natured, twenty-minute battle left the group drenched to the skin and sore from laughter. And the soaking seemed to refresh the crew for the last two hours of work in the hot afternoon sun.

Sean was among the last to leave after cleanup, conveniently forgetting to ask for a ride home with some of his friends in the group. He had planned it that way. As Sean and Doug were stowing the last of the cleaning supplies in the church storage room, Sean said, Could I get a ride home with you and Jenny, if its not too much trouble?

Doug responded just as Sean had hoped. Of course. No trouble at all.

Sean smiled to himself. Doug and Jenny Shaw were very special people in his life. They had supported him when he really needed someone. And he knew they would help him now with the burden he was carrying.

Doug suggested that they stop for burgers on the way home. Jenny and Sean wholeheartedly agreed, since they had been too busy washing carsand spraying each other with waterto eat lunch.

I need to talk to you two about something, Sean said soberly after they had placed their orders at the Burger Shack.

I wondered if you had something on your mind, Jenny said. Youve been a little quieter than normalexcept during todays water fight, of course.

Sean smiled briefly then returned to his concern. Its kind of serious, and Im not sure what to do. So Im hoping you have some suggestions.

Doug flashed an assuring smile. We are more than happy to listen and help if we can, Sean.

The waitress arrived with their drinks. Sean stirred his Coke gently with a straw as he composed his thoughts. Im worried about my friend Kev, he said at last.

Kev... you mean Kevin Colvin? Jenny probed. The guy who comes to church with you sometimes?

Kevinright. A lot of us call him Kev. His parents are not Christians, but he says he trusts Christ as his Savior. Lately hes been acting strange.

Is Kevin in some kind of trouble? Doug asked.

Sean released a long sigh. I dont know for sure. Hes been really quiet and distant for the last few weeks. And Ive noticed a few other things about him that worry me.

Doug leaned a little closer. Like what?

Sean felt odd talking about something that stirred up such painful memories. But he knew he had to for his friends sake. Well, things that make me wonder if Dannie has thought about suicide.

Jenny reached across the table and touched his arm. This must be difficult for you, Sean. Im sorry you have to deal with this issue again after what you have been through.

Sean felt a lump in his throat. He remembered all too clearly his bout with depression two years earlier that pushed him to gulp down a fistful of sleeping pills. But Doug and Jenny had been there to help him through. Sean would be forever grateful for the love and concern this couple had shown in his darkest hour.

Thanks. I think Im doing all right, he said, clearing his throat. But Im afraid for Kev. His parents are too busy fighting to pay much attention to him. His older brothers have moved away, so hes all alone at home. And when his friend Tim died in a car crash this spring, he really began to withdraw. Im worried about him.

Doug spoke next. What else is Kev doing that makes you suspect he may have thought about suicide?

Some things that are painfully familiar. Kev seems tired all the timehe has no energy. If I call him at noon on a Saturday, hes still in bed. Even when I talk him into coming over, he just wants to flop in a corner and go to sleep.

Fatigue was one of the symptoms that concerned us about you, Jenny said.

Sean nodded. Im glad you noticed, he said softly. Kev is also getting into black stuff clothes, leather, jewelryand talking like hes fascinated with death. Hes been real moody tooangry one minute, silent the next.

Im so glad that you have been paying attention to Kevs behavior, Sean, Jenny affirmed. He seems to be crying out for help.

The waitress arrived with their burgers and fries. In his prayer of thanks for the food, Doug also prayed for Kevin.

As they began to eat, Sean continued. The thing that really bothers me is that Kev has been giving stuff awayeven some great stuff, like his mountain bike. He doesnt seem to care about anything. Its like hes not planning to stay around much longer.