Sometimes We Don’t Always Like God’s Answers
Have you ever prayed that God would change your teen at any cost? Have you begged God to intervene in your child’s life because you were so desperate to rescue them? I have.
Were you surprised in how God answered those requests? We’re you even asking yourself, “What was God thinking?”
I often have to remind myself that I am not God. I cannot read my teen’s mind. I do not know the heart of my teen. I have no knowledge of their future. The only one that can do all of this is the one and true God, our Heavenly Father.
What I do know is that He sometimes allows more pain within the answer. “Why would He do that,” you may ask?
That is the hardest part for us as parents to grasp. Our teen is already hurting and because of our prayers, it’s as though more pain comes.
Surprisingly in the midst of that hurt and pain, God is working. That’s right. God’s plans have already been activated.
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
God knows our children intimately. He also knows the choices our teens will make that will alter their life. He knows how we as parents will respond to those choices; choices filled with sadness, hurt, and disappointment.
There is a scripture that a dear friend shared with me recently that truly answers the question as to why God would allow more pain and hurt. He wants to demonstrate how He can turn it all around for the good in our teen and reveal Himself to them in a way we never could.
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces BUT he will heal us; he has injured us BUT he will bind up our wounds…he will restore us that we may live in his presence. “
Hosea 6:1-2
God gives us and our teen free will. He doesn’t try to stop our teen when they make hasty decisions, bad choices and sees them act in an irresponsible way. In fact, He allows it. He may even bring more pain in the process. Because of those decisions and choices, those consequences will eventually be reaped.
The good news is that God is merciful and extends grace to our teen when we they have reached the bottom. He will hold out His healing hand to touch them and restore them but only if they reach back and ask.
When God begins the restoration, it is not always in the way we like. What if part of that restoration for your teen means spending a year in a rehab or a year in juvenile detention/jail? What if it means going through some really deep and painful therapy? What if it means your teen may end up with a sickness that will remain with them for the rest of their earthly life but restores their spiritual soul and mind now?
God’s mercies are new every morning and He is so faithful to see us through the most heart-wrenching times in our life as parents. The only answer to getting through those difficulties is by dedicating yourself to reading His Word, praying His Word (Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17), and standing in faith (Isaiah 7:9) even when you are not sure you can do it. It is the obedience of following through and remaining faithful when you cannot see the results or know the answers right away for your teen.
Just like the woman who dared to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment to retrieve her healing in Luke 8:44, we must also dare to do whatever it takes as a parent. Are we willing to ask God for healing of our teen and putting our total trust in Him no matter the answer?
In order to do so, you must let go of the guilt, the shame, and the fear that often travels with us as parents with teens in crisis. Let God take those things and replace them with freedom, faith and courage. Then put your total trust in Him no matter what answer comes. He IS all that you need.
It’s true we detest pain for ourselves or those we love but as you said God knows best and is working out everything for good. That Scripture from Hosea 6 really gets me. I’ve been using the NIV for years and I just love how it puts it. I usually take it up to verse 3. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it is sometimes a hard verse to swallow however, it is so true and I am thankful that God doesn’t leave us in the painful stage but is quick to restore and heal. Thank you for sharing your heart. Blessings!
so wise, so true. Prayer is powerful. Our teens need to grow through God’s grace we cannot control!
Absolutely! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
I love how you said, “God’s mercies are new every morning”, this is so true! I had to move back in with my parents over the last year (long story) anyways, I’m finding out all these things my Mom did while I was a teen that I had no idea about. For example, she fasted every Wednesday when I was going through my angsty teen years, I saw on my brother’s old bed frame the other day she had stuck a little sticker on it with a bible verse about God’s Word going with him wherever he goes (interesting because he’s now living in Belgium) and I’m finding little notes stuck in books. She prayed without ceasing. It worked, here I am and I have no doubt it’ll work for my brother too. Things always look their worst before they get better. Great message Stacy 🙂 you’re 100% right!
That is awesome seeing the results of a mother’s prayer. Now that you are aware of the need to pray for your brother, your mom will have double the prayers going out to her son as you pray with her. God is good! Thanks for sharing this. Blessings!!
Thanks for the wise words. Prayer has been the main weapon we used when dealing with our teen child’s heroin addiction. I understand most people think we did something wrong in parenting to have a child like this. That’s ok. God’s children rejected the perfect Father and chose to go their own way. Sadly that’s a comfort.
I totally agree with you. Intercessory prayer is the only thing that can break the chains of addiction, disorders, illnesses and more that man cannot change. That is a huge comfort. And yes, others will look at us and try to find something wrong that we did. But I often think that one day, especially the way our world is going, that it could happen to their child or grandchild. So I just keep my focus on the Heavenly Father and my own children. Thanks for sharing! Blessings!