Older adolescent children may push their moral and spiritual boundaries to the edge, seeking separation and individuation in order to establish a personal identity. Stretching the limits of their values is often motivated by the desire to please and be accepted by friends and peer groups.
What pulls adolescents or adults back to their spiritual and moral roots is an inner strength that enables them to love God and their family as well as the need to love and respect themselves. The love of God can reach beyond the worst fall into sin to rescue his willing son or daughter.
Saul, Israel’s king, was unwilling to override the impulse to do what was contrary to God’s plan and purpose. Keeping God close to your heart and mind is made possible by choosing to please him in all things.
This is a strength that must be nurtured. God will help you accomplish this very important task.
_________
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
~Hebrews 4:15-16 New International Version
_________
Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite
podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.