Press On Towards The Goal...

A Review for You (4 Minute read) Do you remember the first time you started a story with “When I was a kid…”? I love hearing other generations' coming-of-age stories. Even at 31, I have uttered this quite a few times. Youth have very different childhoods than I did 13+ years ago. Each generation has virtues and vices that the former did not. The Coddling of the American Mind shares some of the lies believed by youth and parents today, then tries to replace them with truths for their better. This is not a Christian book, but much of it will help Christian parents understand themselves and their children so they can parent well. I think the book is worth your time, so I will summarize and share highlights about the first “untruth” (aka, “lie”), how we came to believe it, and then a few recommended solutions. Three Lies Greg and Jonathan share three “untruths” that have formed many modern parents and kids. At first glance, you may not believe the authors, but they argue compellingly ...

“Have a new teenager next week with this parenting trick.” Ever heard that? I don’t buy it. Children and teenagers don’t often make U-turns from a simple parenting tip. But today, my suggestion will – over the long term – change for the better how your teen feels, sleeps, loves, studies, dates, and learns. Here’s my suggestion: switch off your internet at 10pm. [1] Why, you ask? It guards against loss of Zzzs and making bad decisions. Can I explain a little more? Night is designed by God for us to sleep and rest. Sleep isn't a pesky task that gets in the way of living life; it is essential to our vitality. Dr. Walker, a sleep researcher at UC Berkeley, says consistent lack of sleep wrecks your immune system, disrupts blood sugar levels, stresses your heart, and contributes to all major psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality. [2]   Lost sleep is a HUGE problem for Americans and especially American youth today. Much of it is lost by teens to hours ...

  While reading these two books, I had numerous flashbacks of burdens shared by parents and youth. I was even reminded of my own teenage struggles. Even better though are David's solutions; His writing is relatable, biblical, and practical. I wish I read this book as a youth. He clears away the mystery of teen anxiety and depression in bite-sized chapters, only 5-6 pages each. These books hit a sweet spot for a stressed, anxious, and depressed generation of teens. They are written by Bible Teacher and Counselor, David Murray, to help parents and teens face these problems head-on. Each chapter tells a story of a struggling youth who found help in God's word to navigate through their issues.  I especially connected with chapter four, "Imaginative Imogen." David discussed how our minds are like a movie theater, constantly playing a movie, and some teens endlessly replay movies of past trauma, horrific hypothetical situations, or graphic images so that anxiety and guilt t...