Teens Are Often Anxious For The Future
By guest author
KAYLA WRIGHT
Licensed Christian Counselor
Specialist in Christian Counseling for Teens
Life Training Christian Counseling
Pressure To Perfrom
There are many aspects of a teenager’s life that are stress-inducing. Particularly in our society, there is an emphasis placed on teens to be prepared for their lives after high school. The need to perform well in standardized tests, to achieve the highest grades, to get the best scholarships, and to get accepted into the “ideal schools” add to the chaos of discovering self throughout adolescence. Regardless which stressors, teens are often anxious for the future. It is important that we help our teens navigate this overwhelming time by pointing them to the peace that is found in Christ.
Made New In Christ
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
The first thing we need to remind our students of is that they are made new in Christ. Their failures, test scores, and scholarships, or lack thereof, do not define their value, nor their purpose. When teens carry the perspective of doing things for the Lord, they are able to walk in confidence through open doors, and take rejection in stride. Both determination and flexibility are found when we are living to honor God in all we do. Understanding God’s sovereignty and grace takes the pressure off of getting everything “right” the first time.
Every Teen Has Unique Gifts
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-9
The Lord has designed each of us with strengths that can be used to honor Him. As our teens begin to think over what may be their future career path, encourage them to look at their gifts. Listen to them as they share their passions and desires. Help them find opportunities to explore their options by participating in different internships and seeking out professionals who will allow them to shadow their daily responsibilities or volunteer at their businesses. The vastness of options can be overwhelming, so help them create goals for their future, and brainstorm avenues they can take to reach those goals. This will help your treen not be so anxious for the tuture.
God Hears Your Prayers
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Teach your teenagers how to go to God in prayer. Help them create a habit of sitting at the Lord’s feet when it comes time to make decisions. As they grow in their reliance on God, they will develop a discipline of listening for His guidance. This requires more than just the occasional prayer for what we want. To hear his voice, they must approach God in humility and strength; humility to let God’s will be above their own, and strength to step out in faith when they feel unprepared to go where God is calling.
This Too Shall Pass
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Lastly, encourage your children in knowing this too shall pass. The stress of preparation is a part of the growing pains of moving to their next chapter of life. Provide them a safe space to vent when the pressures feel too big and the questions feel too vast. Remind them it’s okay to not have life all figured out, and that it’s necessary to take things a step at a time. Jesus encouraged His disciples to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Encourage them to embrace the season as a building block to their future. With your support and guidance from the Lord, they will get through this!
Trust Our Christian Counselors With Your Teen’s Anxiety
Kayla Wright joined the counseling team at Life Training Christian Counseling in Louisville, Kentucky in May of this year. The passion of her counseling work is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Teens and pre-teens.
Kayla is nationally licensed as a Christian Counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. She possesses an advanced board certification in Child & Adolescent Therapy. Kayla gained extensive experience and credibility in providing counseling to teens and pre-teens during her tenure on the staff of Revive Christian Counseling in Owensboro and Madisonville, Kentucky. She is highly skilled in teenage substance abuse counseling and teenage depression counseling.
Kayla Wright, as well as each of our other counselors, offers convenient sessions at Life Training Christian Counseling in Louisville, Kentucky. She also offers online counseling via Zoom or FaceTime. Please click on this link to learn much more about how our Counseling for teens and pre-teens in Louisville, Kentucky can help the child you love find the highly-effective, Christ-centered help they need. Contact us today at 502-717-5433, or by email at kayla@lifetrainingcounseling.org