Of course we do not claim to speak for God. However, by application, we can weave the truths of Scripture into what a letter from God might look like if written to the parent of a teen son who is struggling in his relationship with God.
We encourage you to read this and then study for yourself the scriptures mentioned and let God speak to and encourage your heart.

Dear Mom or Dad,

​Don’t be afraid, I am with your son. I know when he sits down and when he gets up, when he goes out and when he comes in. I formed him and made him. I understand him even though you may not. (Psalms 139) In my time and in my ways, I will strengthen him. I will help him. I will uphold him with my righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10 and Isaiah 55:8-9)

The only time God is pictured as running in Scripture is when He is running to a son who has miserably failed.  I love thinking about this story in Luke 15. The prodigal son had previously turned his back on his Father.  He wasted his inheritance on alcohol, immorality and partying.  All this crazy sinful living had landed him in a pig pen slopping hogs.  The Bible says he finally came to himself and decided to go home, humble himself in confession of wrong and ask to be a servant instead of a son.

The idea is stunning and magnificent. It’s much more significant than “the mechanic with us” or “the heart surgeon with us” or the “preschool teacher with us.”
 
Now, you may know a preschool teacher or a mechanic who’s a lot of fun to be around, but — generally speaking — there will come a time when they have to go. Christmas break is often enjoyable because we get to visit friends and family, but all good things must come to an end . . . before they turn sour.
 
Nerves quickly fray, patience wears, and — after a few days — “the fish starts to stink.”
 
But this tendency to “conditional fellowship” extends far beyond our earthly relationships.
 
“God with us” is most enjoyable during Christmas because it’s warm and festive and swaddled in cuteness. It’s desirable when I’m going through a very difficult crisis. It’s beneficial when I need advice. 
 
But “God with us” is a problem when I want to go my own way. It’s troublesome when I don’t want to be confronted, rebuked, corrected, or chastened. Immanuel is inconvenient when I desperately want to be distracted from following Christ.
 
So, how does one remain stunned by the magnificent reality that God came to live with us?

We see often see in Scripture the saints of God in times of suffering.   Adam and Eve suffered the murder of their son by his own brother.  Job suffered the loss of almost all he had. The faithful Christians in Revelation suffered and even in Heaven seem to question why they were not being avenged for their suffering. Hebrews 11 has a whole list of suffering saints.  We are faced with the question of why God’s children suffer if an all-powerful God loves and cares for them. Though that seeming dilemma is not the point of this article, a few quick notes may lead you to further help and study.

Failure.  It happens to everyone. Young or old, rich or poor, new Christian or seasoned Saint, there is no one who doesn’t find themselves humbled and grieved because of their own failure or the failure of someone they love.  However, there is great hope. For the true child of God who has a real relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, failure is NEVER final.  There are five reasons for this, and they are all wrapped up in the person and work of God through His Son Jesus Christ.