What happened? You took your little girl to Sunday school. You read her Bible stories. You showed her how to pray. You dedicated her life to the Lord as a young child. You watched her grow in faith, but then, something changed.
She hit the teenage years, and now she doesn’t believe in God anymore.
I’ve had many conversations over the years with parents who have struggled with watching their teens walk away from Christianity and watching them walk toward an impartial view on faith, faith that believes that we all have the same God.
We just worship him differently. Or maybe she doesn’t believe in God at all. What do you do?
1. Remember that God has not forgotten His promises to you or your teen daughter. She is His child and He will lead her back to Him. It may not be in the time frame you want, but it will happen in God’s timing.
2. Stay calm and nonjudgmental. In the Bible, Jesus tells us the parable about the prodigal son for a reason. It’s not uncommon for us to stray or question our faith.
Many do, especially when we are living a life that isn’t God’s best for us, but we always find our way back home to those who love us most. God loves your daughter most.
3. Try not to preach to your teen. Many teens feel that Christians live a hypocritical life when we say one thing and do the opposite. Let her know that we all make mistakes and we need forgiveness.
Live what you believe. Show her the Lord’s love, grace and forgiveness by your actions.
4. Continue to pray for God’s guidance and protection for your teen daughter or granddaughter. She will face many temptations as she ventures out into the world.
Stay encouraged and know that God is working in her life. He is in control.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
