Overcoming Challenges with Rebellious Teens

Dear mama facing parenting struggles,

Are you grappling with a rebellious son who seems to have strayed far from the faith and family values you worked so hard to instill? Does it feel like your efforts in Christian parenting have somehow fallen short? Take a deep breath, sweet friend. You’re not alone on this journey of unconditional love, and there’s hope even in the darkest moments.

Today, let’s explore the inspiring story of Suzanne Roragen, author of “Unconditional: How a Mother’s Love Rescued Her Rebellious Son.” Her mother’s journey offers us a beacon of hope and practical wisdom for our own parenting struggles.

1. Embracing Vulnerability and Community Support

Attention: Did you know that isolation can be one of the biggest enemies when parenting a rebellious son?

Interest: Suzanne shares how creating a community of support was crucial during her son’s rebellious phase. She found strength in connecting with other parents facing similar faith and family challenges.

Desire: Imagine having a network of parents who understand your parenting struggles and can offer real-time support and accountability.

Action: Here’s how to build your support network:

• Reach out to other parents in your child’s friend group
• Be honest about your struggles; don’t let shame keep you isolated
• Create a system of mutual accountability (e.g., texting each other about kids’ whereabouts)
• Consider joining or starting a Warfare Parenting small group at your church
• Seek professional help if needed; there’s no shame in talking to a therapist or counselor

Remember, as Suzanne says, “Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and to share your journey with other people.”

Suzanne’s experience reminds us that showing unconditional love while parenting a rebellious son can be emotionally taxing. She recalls the heart-wrenching moment of hearing her son’s arrest over the phone, miles away. In moments like these, having a support system, like a Warfare Parenting small group, becomes crucial.

2. Prioritizing Faith Over Fitting In: Military Family Faith Challenges

Attention: Have you ever compromised on your values to help your child “fit in”?

Interest: Suzanne reflects on her experience as a military family, moving seven times in nine years, and the challenges this posed to maintaining faith and family values.

Desire: What if you could help your child build a foundation that would anchor them through life’s storms, regardless of their social circle or location?

Action: Here are some ways to prioritize faith in your family, even amidst military family faith challenges:

• Make sure God has “a seat at your table” in daily life
• Teach your children how to turn to the Bible for guidance
• Be willing to make tough decisions about friend groups and activities
• Model reliance on faith in your own life
• Create family traditions that center around your faith
• Encourage open discussions about faith, doubts, and questions

As Suzanne advises, “Find out who you’re allowing in your home in terms of is it God, is it culture, who’s ruled in the house?”

Balancing social acceptance and faith can be particularly challenging for military families who move frequently. Suzanne emphasizes the need to “do the tough thing” when you see shifts in your children’s behavior or friend groups, even if it means setting stricter boundaries.

3. The Power of Persistent Prayer: Unexpected Sources of Prayer Support

Attention: Do you sometimes feel like your prayers for your wayward child are falling on deaf ears?

Interest: Suzanne shares a powerful story of how prayer from an unexpected source—her company’s CEO—led to a breakthrough with her rebellious son.

Desire: Imagine seeing a dramatic change in your child’s heart through the power of prayer and unconditional love.

Action: Here’s how to amplify your prayer life for your child:

• Pray consistently, even when you don’t see immediate results
• Enlist others to pray for your child; be open to unexpected sources of prayer support
• Look for small signs of answered prayers and celebrate them
• Don’t forget to pray for yourself as a parent, asking for wisdom and strength
• Use Scripture in your prayers, claiming God’s promises for your child
• Consider keeping a prayer journal for wayward children to track your journey and God’s faithfulness

Remember, as Suzanne experienced, “Prayer works. And when we include other people who are strong prayer warriors and who sort of maybe have a better hotline than we do, then we engage that.”

Suzanne’s story reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful prayers can come from unexpected sources of prayer support. She describes how her faith journey developed throughout her struggles with her rebellious son. Initially, she was more of a casual believer, but through this experience, she learned to lean more heavily on her faith.

Conclusion: Your Mother’s Journey of Unconditional Love Isn’t Over

Sweet mama facing parenting struggles, I know your heart aches. I’ve been there, too, watching my own children struggle and wander. But let me remind you of a beautiful truth: your rebellious son’s story – and your mother’s journey – isn’t over yet.

Suzanne’s experience reminds us that God is at work even in the darkest moments of parenting struggles. Her book, “Unconditional: How a Mother’s Love Rescued Her Rebellious Son,” offers hope for both the rebellious son and those who love them with unconditional love. It’s a testament to the ongoing work of God in our lives, even when we can’t see it clearly.

So today, I invite you to:

1. Reach out and build your support community, perhaps through a Warfare Parenting small group

2. Recommit to prioritizing faith in your family, especially if you’re facing military family faith challenges

3. Amplify your prayer life for your child, perhaps by starting a prayer journal for wayward children

Remember, it takes courage to keep hoping, loving unconditionally, and believing in the face of disappointment. But you are stronger than you know, and God is working even when we can’t see it.

Suzanne’s final piece of advice resonates deeply: “I really encourage parents to do the tough thing to make sure that they are sort of the head of their household in terms of their children.” This might mean making unpopular decisions or setting firm boundaries, but remember that you’re fighting for your child’s future and spiritual well-being.

Are you ready to take the next step in your journey of unconditional love? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. Let’s encourage each other on this beautiful, challenging path of faith and family.

If you’re looking for more inspiration in your mother’s journey, consider picking up a copy of Suzanne’s book Unconditional: How a Mother’s Love Rescued Her Rebellious Son. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that no parenting struggle is beyond God’s reach.

Your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. And who knows? The next conversation, the next entry in your prayer journal for wayward children, might be the turning point in your child’s journey back to faith. As Suzanne discovered, sometimes the breakthrough comes from unexpected sources of prayer support and at unexpected times.

Keep hoping, keep praying, and keep showing unconditional love. Your story of faith and family redemption is still being written, and God isn’t finished yet – not with your rebellious son or you. Trust in His timing, lean on your community, and never underestimate the power of a mother’s journey of unconditional love combined with unwavering faith.