Teen Drama
I planned to write something about a study I've been doing. I read some scriptures and commentary about the Law. And then life happened. My focus changed.
We just finished a week of teen vacation Bible School this week at church. It started out so great! I had the best time. I'm one of those people who get caught up in the whole thing, I act like one of the kids and have a blast. I got to know a lot of them better and really had a great time. I even learned a thing or two.
The first night a great dynamic speaker talked about not having a father growing up and how he came to the realization that God was with him all through his life, guiding him and protecting him. His message really touched those kids. There were a lot of tears, and repentance.
I watched the kids that week, especially a group of girls who are in my bible class. These girls come from troubled homes, they are brought to church. They actually call to find a ride to church. They have such a desire to overcome, but there are so many odds against them.
The end of the week some details of bad things happening in the youth group came out. To me. More than I would ever want to know. Too much to hear. My own kids heard some of it. It was a low end to a really high week.
Why does the devil attack so ferociously?I have spent a huge amount of time in prayer and deep conversation with my kids. I want to put them under my wings and protect them from all the hurt in the world. Keep the evil influences away from them.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Psalm 27:5After a day of reflecting and prayer about the situation (and a lot of listening to repentant girls)... I feel so strongly that this fight of faith is such a battle.
Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12
Questions for reflection:
How do you deal with viscous attacks from the enemy?
What are some ways you fight the fight of faith?
Labels: Motherhood
posted by Annie @ 12:01 AM
8 Comments:
We all need to be in much prayer for our youth.
My husband is a church planting Pastor and I certainly identify with your experience this past week. One thing we have learned in our years of church work is that when the Spirit is moving and lives are being changed, the enemy will without a doubt begin to stir things up. When the attacks come, and they will, as a family we come together, pull back and try to take an objective look at things, we move our focus from the people involved to the purpose of the enemy, and spend much time in prayer. We have found that it is in these times that our family is strengthened and built up the most. If there is spiritual growth through the negative circumstances, the enemy NEVER wins the battle! A great family motto is "it's not what you go through, but how you GROW through it."
Annie,
You have my admiration and applause for being one of the few folks 'brave' enough to invest in the next generation. It is such a difficult field to plow because there is such a mighty calling on this generation - and the devil knows it. He breaks up their families, leaving them to find their own way spiritually. He confuses them sexually, because they are desperate for real love and life giving relationships.
They need adults like you. They need people to invest the truth in them; people who will stay close enough, long enough, so that they can mature to a point that they will cling to God and turn away from the enemy's trappings!
I will be praying for you and your recent disappointments with the youth. And I pray that God will bless your efforts in a huge way! People who work with today's teens are my heroes!
Hello, I feel for so many young people. Life can be so hard and when you have no one to lean on, even harder! I pray, hope and try to think positive thoughts. I hope your young people prevail. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I recognize the attacks for what they are. Satan's attempt at destruction. In fact, I expect them. I know that in my own walk of faith, if I'm onto something good, Satan is ready to throw the kitchen sink my direction. That being said, when the attacks come, I go to prayer. I pray God's Word over the situation, and if it involves others (i.e. my kids or husband), we have an open, frank discussion about the matter.
There is no profit in pretending the enemy doesn't exist. Call him on it and then let the power of God's Word bring peace to a troubled heart. The attacks may not diminish immediately, but God's peace will come to make the path clearer.
Good thoughts.
peace~elaine
I think it's great that you are working with those girls. I also disiple teen girls (make attempts to), and it's just so overwhelming sometimes what they have to go through every day. I think it's important to remember that even when they make the wrong choices, God can turn it, and use it for something good, a lesson for them or an example to others. The important thing is that the Spirit was convicting them, and that they felt the freedom to open up to you and be held accountable! That is a huge victory! Every believer has baggage to deal with, just remember God is an expert baggage handler!
What a great idea, Teen VBS.
I have 3 teenagers and another child who has already passed through the teen years. It is by far one of the most difficult seasons of life. They are trying to figure out who they are and learn to stand in that, but the problem is they don't really know who they are.
Many of the teenagers here where we live are left to themselves and their problems. It's sad really.
Girls are struggling with eating problems and boys are struggling with exposure to porn. And you know what, I think many of their parents are clueless to the struggles.
In my opinion of 50 years of living, this is the hardest time for raising kids. There are so many things out there to snatch them up and pull them away.
I feel it as a parent of teenagers. I can only imagine what you feel as one who works with a whole youth group of them.
You are doing an awesome job!
Julie
I just came across this post today. So many of your comments totally reflect what it's like to parent teens today. If any of you are interested, there's a Christian parenting teens tour happening across Canada from May to Apr 09. I hear the speaker (Mark Gregston) is phenomenal and isn't afraid to deal with tough issues teens and parents face today.
www.turbulenceahead.ca
Hope this helps!
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