Staying Strong
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2011 by
“I am going through some tough stuff right now, starting to lose God and doing things I am really beginning to regret…”
For years this young man was a self-proclaimed atheist. I think he wanted to believe in God, but couldn’t make enough sense of Christianity. His home life is rough. He tends to behave badly. His parents often over-react and treat him bad. He then is miserable, and behaves even worse. It is a viscous cycle and has not encouraged a belief in God.
Then, this summer, he finally accepted Jesus! Intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, this young high school boy gave his heart to God. I can’t tell you the joy I felt watching him give his life to Jesus! It was incredible! He experienced real happiness, that incredible joy of saying yes to Jesus.
And now, things are tough for him.
His parents are on the verge of divorce. They are Christians, but they fail to model it. They don’t take him to church, and when he gets in trouble, they ground him from our ministry. He gets yelled at constantly, and usually reacts with anger and rebellion.
And so he comes to me, and tells me that he is starting to lose God. He tells me of his poor choices, and how he doesn’t want to live that way anymore. He says it’s hard, and he doesn’t know how to deal with the things in his life.
I wish I could take the hurt away. I wish I could rescue him, but I can’t. I can walk with him. I can be a shoulder to lean on. I can listen and I can give Godly council. I can challenge him to be strong and cling to Jesus. I can assure him that he is not alone. I want you to know I am committed to being there for him.
In our January newsletter, Deborah Factor challenged us to make this year’s prayer focus on the Christian students that are involved in our ministry. We want to see these teenagers grow up strong in the Lord and to have a successful, joyful life.
I just invited this young man to join a small group I am leading. He has opened up to me and he is looking for help. He knows he wants something different for his life. What an incredible step! I am looking forward to standing by his side and supporting him where he needs it.
This is what we do at Youth for Christ!
Would you take time this month to pray for him, his family, and the many other Christian youth in our communities? Pray for our staff as we walk along side them. Thank you for your prayers! They are so valuable!
Posted by Alexa on February 17, 2012, 6:31PM
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