James chapter 1 commands us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”  It’s a tall order, isn’t it?  Especially with teens in the house!

I love that verse because it communicates something I see everyday.  When parents jump to conclusions or begin lecturing before they’ve listened… it does more harm than good.

So, mom … dad …when your teen acts up, ask questions first.  Be “quick to listen.”  Her actions may signal an issue or incident you haven’t heard about yet.  Maybe it’s her way of communicating a loss or painful circumstance that needs attention.  She’s using her actions to alert you… rather than her words.

So, as James tells us, let’s be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry!

 

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