When God begins a good work in someone, He is not finished until it is completed. He has done it for countless people, great and small, and He will do it for you too. Be confident in Him.

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking (reverently) and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.
   Matthew 7:7,8

Past Questions of the Month:

Hope and Assurance

This website was created for those acquainted with mental illness and in need of hope and assurance.

Question of the Month

I have said all I know to say to my adult child and nothing changes. I am frustrated because the same self-defeating and immoral behaviors are repeated again and again. This has gone on long enough. What can I do or say to make a difference?

When I get most frustrated, impatient, and ready to give up on someone is when I find I am expecting them to change, grow, or be a certain way according to my timetable and my expectations.

It is so very, very hard with our own children. Every fiber of our being hurts and cries out to help make things right. We want to fix and change so they can get on with life and enjoy success and pleasure in work and relationships.

When I consider myself, I know it can take a lot of time and work to become a new person. It is no little thing. It doesn’t have to do with just owning responsibility or just stopping a behavior and beginning a new one. There are many, many things that are coming into play when someone is able to begin making life changes.

Give God His time – no matter how long it is – because it is perfect for all the myriad of thoughts, fears, habits, lies, hurts, distortions, games, misunderstandings, dependencies, and pity parties to reach a common point of readiness and fruition.

God is your child’s real Father and Parent. We are only the steward of our children. They belong first to Him and He is utterly trustworthy to handle them flawlessly. The Lord’s discipline always accomplishes what God intends. It is God’s job to teach, train, and discipline our adult children. Give your child the privileged opportunity to be under the tutelage of their Heavenly Father who knew them before they were born and put them intricately together before you even knew them. Sometimes we have to take our hands off so God can touch them.

Never stop praying. Prayer is never futile. It is always honored. Time spent alone with God and His word equips us to speak truth, wisdom, and love to our child.

I remember very clearly the day I gave my son to God. I visualized carrying him in my arms to the throne of God. It was a lengthy walk in my mind and when I stood in front of God, I laid my son in the lap and arms of God. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I told my son later that I had given him to God and God had my permission to do whatever it would take to bring him to Him. He is God’s responsibility now and I know I will not be disappointed.

Contact

I welcome your comments and suggestions about this website. If you have a question that you would like addressed, please let me hear from you.

My email address is carolyn@hopeandassurance.com.