By Joseph W. Tkach
Discouragement comes in all kinds of packages.
With all the pressures on Teens today, it's no wonder many feel discouraged.
Maybe the test didn't go well. Or your friend snapped at you and your parents accused you of something you didn't do.
Or the kids at school laughed at your outfit. Or you messed up during the big game, or didn't even get to play.
When you're discouraged, though, wouldn't it be nice to know that there was someone in your corner, pulling for you? Someone powerful, yet understanding. Someone who cares and doesn't think the things that bother you are small and silly. Someone you can always rely on.
What would this ultimate helper be like? What would you want this person to say and do to Encourage you? If you had all power and all knowledge, what would you do?
We asked a group of junior and senior high school students, "If you were God, what would you say to encourage teenagers?" Here are some of their answers:
Bruce, 18: "I don't think we encourage other people enough. I think we all need to be prompted to do that a bit more."
Katrina, 14: "God's really a good person to talk to because he's all-powerful. He knows what's going on, so he can help you."
Brad, 15: "Try to get involved with helping other people, because you can forget what your problem is."
Carlos, 17: "As God I guess you have to remind all the people that there is something better to look forward to."
Janelle, 16: "You have to remind people that you're there for them, that you won't put them down.
Amber, 14: "To not worry what other people are going to think about you, just be friendly.... I would like to hear God say he's my friend."
"I'll always be there"
"You can look to me for help. Just ask - I'll always be there."
"If I were God, I would think that one of the most important things I could tell a teenager would be the assurance that I am with him, protecting him, guiding his decisions if he will only just choose my path. I would love to give him blessings and have him be my friend."
"Hmmm, [I would say] if they really want to, they can turn a bad situation around and make the best out of it - and I'll be behind them all the way." A lot of teens we asked said they would show they cared and were there for the discouraged teen. The best thing about this is that God agrees with this prescription. He tells us these things in many places.
"For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say : 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear' " (Hebrews 13: 5-6, New King James Version throughout).
When God says he will never leave us, he means never. That's a rock solid promise. That kind of firm commitment can help us face difficulties with confidence.
"I understand"
One teen brought out another important way God Encourages us. If this teenager were God, he would say: "Well, teen, I know how it is to be a teenager, because my son Jesus Christ was one, and he told me all about it.
"I know the world is pressuring you to grow up and you're not sure how to. You see all around you the evils and problems of this world, and you don't want to fall into those traps.... Hang in there and keep obeying me!"
God does understand. When Jesus Christ came to earth, one of the reasons was so he could experience the things we go through so he could understand how hard it can be. He felt all the weaknesses we feel. He was tempted in the same ways as we are, yet he didn't sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Christ faced it all, and he didn't find it easy. But he met the challenge, and he can help you meet it too.
"I'll take your heavy burdens"
God doesn't promise we won't have burdens to carry, but he does offer to lighten our load.
" 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke.... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light' " (Matthew 11:28-30).
Many times we are burdened by the weight of guilt, worries and fear. These often bring us down to discouragement. Christ offers forgiveness, peace of mind and his love, which casts out fear and worry. Without these burdens, our load is much lighter.
Let's look at one more step in the encouragement process that greatly involves us.
We should take the ways God encourages us, and use them to encourage others.
We should be there to show other people we care, as God does for us. We should be understanding, walking a mile in their moccasins, as Christ does for us. And we should help each other with our burdens, both through prayer and through whatever physical help we can wisely give.
God discusses this process of encouragement and Comfort in II Corinthians 1:3-4. These verses tell us about the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
We are to take the comfort and encouragement God gives us and then pass it on to others.
One comment from a high school student sums it all up:
"If I were God, I would probably say 'I'm there for you anytime you want to talk to someone and I love you and care for you.'
"All people need to feel that they are loved by someone. Many of the problems teenagers have are because they feel no one really cares about them, when maybe someone does, but never shows it. I think that if this is said, and is truly meant, it would end a lot of the problems teens [and adults!] have."
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