So What If I Choose to Cut Myself?: Looking from a Teen's Perspective

I know what your problem is! I know the solution! You need to ...As adults we act as if we understand all the issues our children face. We anticipate the questions, we have all the answers, and we offer them even before they are solicited. Yet, despite our best efforts, our young people still suffer from self esteem issues, experience bouts of depression, embark on a path of destruction, and even contemplate suicide.This book has come at the right time. Donald Stewart has been sent to us "for such a time as this." The body of Christ needs answers. What better way to understand a relatively new phenomenon which is sweeping through our nations and causing such concern and alarm, than to look at the issues through the eyes of the victim?Donald's vast experience of working with teenagers in camp settings, in high schools, in church retreats, as a counselor, but even more importantly, as a father who has been challenged with issues in his own home, has the requisite qualifications for speaking from the perspective of the child.As long as we refuse to believe our children or we continue to treat our teens with suspicion and disdain then they will never be able to trust us enough to offload their deep-rooted fears, struggles and confusion.As long as we keep deceiving ourselves by believing that the occult world and demonic activities are not real, but merely the figment of someone's unenlightened imagination - then we have disqualified ourselves from being an integral part of the solution.As long as we convince ourselves that these phenomena were merely things of the distant past, occurring in very distant lands, then we will never see the need to receive God%u2019s empowerment to confront the present crisis.Unless our youths can sense that there is genuine love emanating from our hearts then they will continue to live their protective double lives; looking cool and unperturbed on the outside while being filled with hopelessness and despair on the inside - covered over by unconventional attire, tattoos, multiple piercings and ever-increasing cut marks on their rapidly-deteriorating bodies.Many parents, teachers, counselors and pastors don't even have a clue about what is really happening to the multitudes of lovely children and teens in their care. They don't see the carefully concealed cut marks and they can't hear the silent pain, until for some - only after it is much too late.I pray that countless teens and young adults will find this book helpful as they strive to understand their own identity, sexuality and individuality while having to cope with the harsh emotional, physical, mental, moral, spiritual and socio-economic realities which confront us in this unpredictable life.Beyond the obvious walls of defiance and hostility is a frightened teenager (with a heart that has been permeated by a God-given sense of eternity) who feels trapped in a troubled world.It is my sincere desire that as you read you will hear the loud, piercing cry for help and that you will allow God's Holy Spirit to guide you towards the appropriate response(s).