"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; " Ephesians 4:22 NIV

This little boy is darling. He looks as if he is enjoying time with his Dad or an important man in his life. We wish at times our children could stay this age forever, but this is not what God wants, or the child. Maturity is what God has planned from the beginning of life.

Maturity can be a bad word for a teen. As life brings struggles between childhood and adulthood a teenager can bounce back and forth from one world to another. The balance comes and peace is restored as life comes into focus as an adult.

I wish it could be as easy to live with teens as it is to write this to you! Sometimes I go for the ride with the emotions being off course and sporadic. A parent can go up and down like a roller coaster if our teen's emotions are not even. It can be the same with our spiritual lives.

Putting off our old nature isn't a one time thing. Unfortunately it isn't as easy as taking off your winter coat and putting on a sweater.
We constantly have to keep the sin or old nature in check. It doesn't die easily, and it doesn't want to surrender but it must if we persevere. 

Jesus is sufficient for every need we have. I am reminding myself of this lately. I need to be grounded in this truth so I stay calm when life gets harried. The roller coaster ride of emotions isn't unique to teens. I suppose you have noticed this yourself.

Jesus is stability personified. He is the rock that we stand upon, and He never falters. No foundation in our lives is as stable as the love of God and His truth. Proclaim His Word as your truth today! 

"No weapon forged against you shall prevail. and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me declares the Lord."Isaiah 54:17