Mark Gregston reflects on a personal experience of physical pain to illustrate how pain affects behavior, decision-making and empathy — especially in teens. He explains that when teens act out or seem disengaged, it may be rooted in deep emotional pain they don’t know how to express or escape. Rather than rushing to fix or shield kids from discomfort, parents should allow them to experience appropriate pain so they can grow in resilience, maturity and wisdom. Pain, though unpleasant, can be one of God’s most powerful tools for shaping character and drawing us closer to Him.

Do you have a question for Mark? Ask him at markgregston.com

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.