Stay True (A letter to my teenage self)

I wrote a letter to you when you were younger and encouraged you in many ways, but there are a few points to make that are specific to you being a teenager.

You will begin to doubt your value and beauty. Unfortunately, low self-image is common among teens. Don’t buy into the lie that you need someone to validate your worth. Instead see yourself as God does: “remarkably and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14a) and created “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27a).

Hold onto who God created you to be. Don’t try to change into someone else.

I hate to say this, but the truth is you will face some real downers in the next couple decades. Life won’t be smooth and straight. It won’t be easy, but try to remember God will remain faithful.

The Redeemer will sow seeds of grace on your path of sorrow. Through your pain, you will find beauty and wellness as you draw into an intimate relationship with your Savior.

The Redeemer will sow seeds of grace on your path of sorrow. Share on X

Lastly, give up your mask of self-control and self-sufficiency—now! It will save you much heartache if you do. (It would have saved me [your older self] much heartache if I would have earlier.) You don’t need to pretend to be strong through everything or to act like you can do it all under your own power.

Only God has the power to transform and redeem. You don’t.

Only He  has the ability to foresee, foreshadow, create, and re-create. You don’t.

Only He controls all of creation with just a whisper, perhaps just a thought. You can’t.

What makes you think you can do anything well apart from Him? I wish you wouldn’t even try. I’m far from perfect, but now I am  much better about seeking His blessing, wisdom, and guidance first—decades later.

Alas, I can’t change what was done when I was your age.

But I can be confident God has forgiven me and will continue to do so.

I can be grateful for His abounding mercy and grace.

And I can be hopeful this letter will help other teenagers who are still there.

“… teach them the way to live and what they must do” (Exodus 18:20b).

Let go and let God; be grateful for each moment of this journey; stay true to you and Him.

Words of wisdom: Let go and let God; be grateful for each moment of this journey; stay true to you and Him. Share on X

Cheering you on,

Your older self

Linking this teenage letter with Emily Freeman in honor of her new book Graceful.

Reflections: What would you tell your teenage self? Care to share? Enter your comment below or click on Emily Freeman’s name above to link up your post.