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Be Not Afraid DespairApostle Paul put it, “carry each other’s burdens, and sofulfill the law of Christ.”In the 1970s my father brought home an alcoholicnamed Terry. He was thirty-two years old, homeless,and a veteran. As a child he had been sexually abused,and the terrible memories of his childhood often pulledhim into deep depression. Papa spent a lot of time withhim, listening to him, counseling him, and simplybeing his friend. He also arranged for him to receivepsychiatric help and medication. Everyone loved Terry,and he stayed with us for more than a year.Then one day Terry left, haunted by the demons ofhis past. Soon afterward we heard that he had killedhimself. The news was a tremendous shock, especiallyto my father, who had loved Terry dearly. It was as ifa family member had died. He wept for Terry, and hewept for the pain of the whole world.One could almost say that it was futile to try to help aman like Terry; that he didn’t have a chance. Yet I haveexperienced over and over again that there are plentyof people whose wounds can be healed and who can behelped to overcome suicidal tendencies.Over the past decades many desperate people haveturned to me for pastoral help. Often their personallives were in turmoil, and anguish over relationships,jobs, or money matters had upset the delicate balance4