Parents
'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you (Deuteronomy 5:16)
The first relationship that most people have will be the one that they have with their parents. Whatever the situation may be, they are the people that guide and try their best to make you into a good person. However, with time and other factors, the relationship between you and your parents may become strained.
From the perspective of a teenager or young adult, life is to be lived. At this time, it’s about trying new things and starting to figure out the person that you want to be. That may be through things such as education in school, new experiences and new relationships. The world will seduce during this period; the bible even says “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes.” in Ecclesiastes 11:9. With that being said, the final part of the verse shouldn’t be forgotten, which says “But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”
As much as it may seem like it was a long time ago and that they did not have the technological advances - and some of the dangers - that you do, parents have lived through what you’ve lived through. They heard rumors, had bullies and were themselves stressed by their parents. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Because of the experiences that they acquired in their youth, they want to help you avoid those same mistakes and consequences.
The best way to deal with a parental relationship as you get older is to look to the Bible for guidance so that you may remain pure (Psalm 119:9). In times of trouble, Yahweh’s words are clear: trust Him (Joshua 1:9). For the teens that are reading this, you will grow. Some of you may become parents someday: know that whatever your parents are telling you is because they love you and want you to be righteous (Proverbs 22:6). Obey your parents, as you know that is what pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20). If you still doubt whatever they are telling you, do not fear going to the Father so that He may clarify the situation for you in His word (2 Timothy 3:16).
Parents aren’t easy, but honor them in the way that you speak and in the way that you act (Exodus 20:12) as they are here to help you grow and become the person that Yahweh wants you to be.