Few things in life have driven me to the Lord in prayer more regularly than parenting teens. Parenting has never been easy. But it feels like the older my kids get, the less I know. Our world is changing so quickly that there are few resources to draw from. The articles and books I read overwhelm me as I realize that every child is different, every school is different, every situation is different. 

I have no idea how to do this. 

I wish parenting were my only area of confusion. I’ve got other questions: How many hours should I spend on activities that take me away from my family? How much should we be saving for retirement? What’s the best way to support my husband when he faces challenges at work? How do I talk to my kids about current events and the brokenness of our culture? How do I support a friend who’s going through a difficult situation? 

Maybe you have tough questions, too. Here’s the good news: God has answers, and He’s willing to share them. 

Job 12:13: With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. 

James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

God is full of wisdom. He knows the hearts of our loved ones. He knows our circumstances. He knows what’s best for us. He knows it all. 

And God is generous with His wisdom. He promises to give us the wisdom we need when we ask Him. 

In which areas of your life do you need answers? Where have you turning for answers? Friends? The internet? Your own feelings? You have a deeper well of wisdom from which to draw—the unsearchable depth of the Lord’s wisdom. 

No matter what you face this week, God will give the wisdom you need. 

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I’m wearing my Geek Badge proudly as I confess to you: I love packing my kids’ backpacks for the first day of school. The shiny folders. The unmarred notebooks. The textbooks just begging to be cracked open. And the spotless pencil box, filled with perfectly sharpened pencils, a clean glue stick, and every single one of the 24 crayons boxed in perfect order. 

It doesn’t take long the backpack scene to descend into chaos, but on that first day, I am confident that my children have everything they need. 

I love this new-pencil feeling because it feels good to have what you need. To have the confidence that no matter what you face, you are prepared.

If only I had this confidence every day. Instead, I look at my to-do list or my calendar, and I wonder, Do I have what it takes? Do I have what I need to get through this? 

Maybe you’re wondering, too. What are you facing this week? What do you need? Strength? Hope? Courage? Peace? Wisdom? Someone to help you? 

Philippians 4:19 promises we always have what we need: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Our Heavenly Father gives us strength. He is the source of our hope. His eternal victory gives us courage. Because we have peace with Him, we can have peace with others and peace in tough circumstances. He promises wisdom when we ask for it. The Maker of Heaven and Earth is our helper. 

This month we’re going to study God’s provision. We’ll see that He has everything we need, and we can trust Him to care for us. There is no need you have that God cannot meet. He has all the supplies needed for your salvation, for every day of your life, and for your eternity. 

No matter what you face this week, you can have confidence that God will supply everything you need. 

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I’ve had some stressful driving experiences, but nothing comes close to the time I was lost in Brooklyn, New York, during rush hour on a Friday afternoon. I took the exit into Brooklyn and needed to cross several lanes in a short distance to make a left turn and stay on my predetermined route. (This was in ancient times, before GPS and phones with map apps!) 

But it was New York, not Arkansas. Not even the driver with a front license plate identifying him as a priest would let me pull in front of him. I didn’t make it to the left turn lane, and I was lost. My surroundings terrified me, and I didn’t know how to find my way to safety. All I had was a paper map, panicked tears, and desperate prayers. 

Sometimes life feels similar to those jam-packed streets of Brooklyn. We’re confused and overwhelmed as we struggle to find our way . But Psalm 46 tells us we have a refuge in times of fear: 

“‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (v. 10-11)

When I hear the words “be still,” I’m reminded of the relief that washed over me as I parked in front of my friend’s Brooklyn apartment. Her knowledge of the city protected me from panic and fear as I blissfully followed her around the city for the weekend. Her presence was a refuge in an environment that felt scary when I was alone. 

When life feels chaotic and confusing, I can be still. I know the One who knows all things. He is God—I am not. He is with us, and He is our fortress. He will show us the way.

No matter what you face this week, you can be still and trust the One who knows the way. 

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