This week we traveled with some of our counseling staff to attend the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Annual Convention in Nashville. Our friend, Dr. Larry Crabb, spoke in the plenary session Thursday. We were blessed by the insights of Dr. Crabb when we recorded the program, so I thought I’d let you know a little bit more about the broadcast. 

In our discussion Dr. Crabb shared the struggle he experienced with one of his own teens, and what he learned from going through that. Here are some of his key points:

Their Struggle Our Struggle
Dr. Crabb reminds us that sometimes God uses our own children to speak to us concerning something we need to change in our own life, or even to reveal that we have valued our child more than our relationship with our Maker. 

Lesser Things and the Greater Good
In the midst of the struggle and hertache, never forget that nothing can separate us from God’s love cand care. Stop “settling” for lesser things in life, and seek the greater good that God wants for us. If we could really see what God is up to, we’d be singing during those times of pain and tears, instead of just focusing on our own pain.

Suffering and Glory
God promises glory on the other side of this struggle if we will commit our way (and our teenager) to Him. We need to abandon our teenager to God’s care and allow Him to take some of the parenting load off our own shoulders.   

Spiritual Companionship Will Help Us Survive
We should make known the struggle that is going on with our teen to a trusted companion. It is important to seek out a pastor, an elder, or a friend who is willing to come alongside us and literally pick us up off the floor, encourage us, and listen to how we hurt when our hearts have been broken by our teenager.

Follow the instructions to download the radio conversation with Dr. Larry Crabb online.

   Download: WMA file (1.8 MB)
   Download: MP3 file (3.9 MB) (higher quality)

Mark Gregston is a radio host, author and the Founder and Executive Director of Heartlight Ministries. To read more of his blogs on parenting troubled teens, please visit www.markgregston.com/. He can be reached at 903-668-2173 or markgregston@heartlightministries.org.