Life Talk With God By Izabella GatesSample

Being a teenager

“Why do I feel as if nobody understands me? Sometimes even I don’t understand me! One day I’m happy, the next day I battle to cope. It’s so strange. Does God think I’m weird?”

God understands adolescence. He knows that shifting from a child to an adult sure can be an interesting time! He also knows that change may be unsettling: 

• Your body is changing—sometimes you’ll like it, sometimes not.

• You may fear rejection. You want to feel accepted by your peers and this sometimes brings pressure to do certain things.

• At school you’re loaded with an increasing volume of work and pressure.

• Your social life increases. You want to see friends often and you can’t understand why your parents worry about where you go, and with whom.

• Your moods may swing. Sometimes it feels as if you’re another person.

• You experience an awakening of, and increase in, sexual feelings.

• You may start to wonder whether God really cares and is listening.

All this (and more) makes adolescence quite an adventure! And for parents it can be a confusing adventure too. In spite of their years of acquired knowledge, parents are often thrown by change. They may at times be baffled by things they don’t understand, or frightened that you might be tackling things you’re not yet ready for. They’re also aware that they’re expected to always be calm and unwaveringly wise, but that’s not always possible. Parents also make mistakes. 

The importance of communication

One essential ingredient in all happy relationships is communication. During your teenage years it is vital to work hard at keeping the communication channels open with God, your family and others around you. Discussing your feelings openly can be scary, but what’s the alternative? Shutting yourself in, making it impossible for anyone else to understand what’s happening inside you; feeling misunderstood, alone, hurt or angry? 

If your parents (or other caregivers) or God don’t know what you’re feeling or thinking, it’ll be hard for them to be of help or support. Share with God everything you’re going through. He’s shockproof. He loves you. And He just wants the very best outcome for you.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to make good choices every day and please:

- Remind me to accept responsibility for my actions. If I make a mistake, help me to learn from it.

- When I need help, steer me to someone wise and trustworthy.

- Surround me with people who follow Your ways. 

- Help me to develop good self-control.

- Help me to learn from the past, do my best for today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Thank You for guiding me and for listening to me. Amen.