Kirsten Strawn
The Faith Coach
Resources To Experience God's Power, Peace, and Presence
The Battle
Turmoil enveloped our house when my father’s girlfriend moved in. She had been my father’s mistress for at least a year while my parents were still together. She was the woman who tore my family apart. I knew my father was to blame, but I questioned, why would she get involved with a married man? Thankful that my boyfriend rescued me from the chaos of my father's house, I left every weekend. I felt loved by him or what I thought was love. He did the battle to come get me each weekend, to rescue me from the pit I was in. He wanted to be with me, at least someone did. Understand the pressures our teens face today. Your teen needs you to do battle for them. Love him, pray for him, guide him, and spend time with your teen. There is resurrection power in Jesus. He will strengthen, guide, and empower you to love the unlovable. It's your job. Discover his or her love language and start filling her love tank. Do the battle. Your child's life depends on it.
Inside I hurt, but I made every effort to create peace. Desperately I wanted my father’s love. Tammy had no children of her own and she made it clear that she preferred my father to herself. One evening my father shut their loud voices behind closed doors. My sister and I looked at each other nervously, since our parents had always fought a silent war.
Moments later we heard shattered glass and my father appeared at our bedroom holding a towel at his throat. Tammy’s jealousy had prompted her to throw a vase at my father that ricocheted off the door slitting his neck. At the hospital the doctor announced that the shard of glass came close to hitting my father's artery.
Teens need their parents undivided attention and their love. Teens often test the boundaries to see if their parents will do the battle to love them. From my experience in raising teenagers and going through my own struggles I suggest the following:
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Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Luke 6:27
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:33
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.
