Teenagers, Frustration and Faith
Frustration is at the core of most disagreements, arguments, and attitudes. One party or the other…heck maybe both is experience frustration. When the level of frustration rises it causes pressure to build and otherwise calm, relatively quiet, easy-going people “lose it.”
While I would never
describe myself as calm, definitely not quiet and honestly, I’m not easy going
either…I am usually pretty much the same temperament…I am a distracted, devoted,
louder than most, full speed ahead then crash, high strung individual.
My teenage son is the
exact opposite in some ways…he’s laid back, moves at his own pace, highly talkative,
friendly, water off a duck’s back kinda guy.
We clash…regularly.
That slower than molasses
pace causes me frustration, that “whatever” attitude when consequences are
doled out causes me frustration. The
lack of foresight into how his action affect others causes me frustration.
Heck…I make his sound
like a bad kid if you only know him through this post…he’s not a bad kid…he’s
actually pretty awesome. He works step
for step with his daddy and I daily (maybe not at the speed or the quality I
expect but he’s there). He loves his
younger siblings and enjoys spending time with them. He is passionate about the outdoors, farming,
and welding…but he still causes me frustration.
Any relationship is
going to experience these ebbs and flows…somedays though it’s more than a momma’s
heart and mind can handle. I wish I
could tell you in those minutes I laid it all at the foot of the Cross…but I
don’t. I explode! I yell, I fuss…sometimes I cuss. I do exactly what God has called me not to
do. I provoke my son, I don’t show him
grace, I don’t speak to him kindly…and then I feel…devastated…I am devastated
that I didn’t in my time of frustration point him to Jesus but instead I pushed
him away. I unleashed a tongue lashing instead
of correcting him through godly love and discipline.
You see as much as he
is a sinner in need of Jesus Christ, his Savior…I am too. I am a sinner, who constantly needs her
Savior. I am a human that falls short of
HIS glory daily. I can’t be the only
momma who experiences this, can I?
Mommas what are we to
do? How are we to react? How are we to discipline and disciple our
children when we, too, are sinners?
1.
We pray for
wisdom, guidance, forgiveness, and better ways to respond when frustration
takes over
2.
We ask for
forgiveness from God AND those we have hurt on earth.
3.
We read God’s
word and seek wisdom from the source. We
don’t rely ourselves but on God.
My desire for my
children isn’t to get into Harvard or any other Ivy League school, my desire is
for my children to get into Heaven. I
can’t get them there, heck I can’t even get myself there, but I can show them
the ONE who can. I can do my best to
lead them on the path set out for them until it’s their turn to lead. I can point them in the direction of the Cross…and
most importantly as their momma I can pray.
Pray for their salvation, their safety, and pray for me. Pray that I guide them with the grace, kindness,
and love that only the Holy Spirit can give me.
Pray that I have impressed upon them their NEED for Jesus and a thankfulness
that HE paid the ultimate price for them.
Pray that they know that no matter what Jesus & momma love them. Pray that they have learned that correction is
part of that love.
I don’t expect to see
results today, tomorrow…honestly, I may never see them…but I do pray that each
passing day I am growing in my relationship with Jesus and guiding each of them
to grow in theirs.
Frustration is a human emotion;
the Bible even tells us in Deuteronomy 28:20 that God sends frustration. Thankfully, the Bible also tells us in
Proverbs 3:6 ESV “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight
your paths.” So when frustration sets in I urge to call out to God and remember
His word… “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger;” James 1:19.
Until we meet again may
God bless you real good!
Caci
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