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. The articles and books I read overwhelm me as I realize that every teen 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 do I decide which opportunities to pursue and how to spend my time? What’s the best way to encourage 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 all wisdom, and He generously shares it when we ask Him.
“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” (Proverbs 2:6-8)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
In James 1, the context is James’s writing about how God’s people respond to suffering. Those difficult circumstances are when we’re most likely to throw up our hands and admit, “I have no idea what to do!”
In those moments, James exhorts us to ask God for wisdom. When we do, He will give generously and without reproach. He won’t roll His eyes or sigh that we’re asking again. He loves to answer our prayers for wisdom, because they demonstrate our dependence and trust in Him.
Like we saw last week, God’s supply of wisdom will never run out. He knows the hearts of our loved ones. He knows our circumstances. He knows what’s best for us. He knows it all, and He promises to generously give us the wisdom we need when we ask Him.
No matter what you face this week, God will give the wisdom you need.
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What do you do when you ask for wisdom and all you hear is silence….or conflicting answers? I have been dealing with depression and anxiety since I had a breakdown in May of 2020. I have been shuffled from one doctor to another. I have been on all kinds of meds and treatments. I believe in God and believe every word, I seek His name and wisdom everyday and I feel forgotten even though His word says I am not.
Also, I have found having adult children is even more difficult that raising teens. All four of my children rarely if ever go to church. They would probably tell you they believe in God but they are not raising their children in the church. My oldest daughter dabbles in all religion and my heart is shattered.
Please pray for me.
I’m so sorry, Deb, and I am praying for you right now. I know it’s so difficult when you feel forgotten and it’s hard to believe what you know is true from God’s Word. Sometimes His timing just doesn’t make sense, but we can just keep persevering in hope each day and ask Him to lead and direct us.