A Teen's Life: Recap

As part of our "A Teen's Life" series, we discussed six topics; change, growth, expectations, experimentation, emotions and decisions.

What was the most important category to you? Many of our teens told us emotions and decisions were most important to them.

Who are you affecting when you make decisions? At some point, you should begin to think about who you are affecting (like others or God), and not base decisions about looks or feelings. We need to learn to think "what does God want from me?"

Everything gets amplified as you grow. It's appropriate for a 12 year old to think like a 12 year old, but it's inappropriate for an 18 year old to think like a 12 year old, or a 25 year old to think like an 18 year old.

All of the categories are involved in your life. You need to grow and learn so you can become an independent adult. You are now learning how to do that. You need to learn how to handle emotions and make decisions now, so you are able to mature into an adult. Becoming an independent adult is a mental state, not something that happens because you reach a certain age. You should show respect for others and yourself, be past experimenting, begin planning for your future and thinking about tomorrow. People expect you to do this, and people will take you seriously when you can do this and show that you can do this.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

A Teen's Life: Decisions

What are some decisions you make? What you do with your life, school, jobs, friends, food, sex, alcohol, God, fighting, relationships, sleep, etc.

You make decisions every day, every second. All decisions, big and small, affect you personally. Your decisions have an affect on the future decisions you haven't even made yet. Even decisions now effect you when you're 50. 

What affects your decisions? Peer pressure, God, experience, parents, and surroundings, as well as many other factors. Good decisions generally have longer term rewards, and bad decisions generally have short term rewards.

Who can your decisions be blamed on? Only you. You make the final decision of your actions, so there is no one else to blame. If you choose to put yourself in bad situations, you'll more than likely be dragged down. It is not common to bring people up to be better.

All categories of this series coexist and work together. As you change and grow, you need to meet higher expectations, which has a huge effect on your emotions. You will try new things, as you change and grow, leading you to make decisions about your daily life, as well as your future.

A Teen's Life: Emotions

What emotions do you feel? Love, hate, sadness, joy, etc.

What is an emotion vs a feeling? An emotion is more of a mental sate, where a feeling is more of a physical state. (You can find more information here)

There are 5 basic emotions that everyone feels; acceptance, celebration, depletion, empowerment and exposure. There is a range of emotions within each emotion, from low/neutral feelings to intense feelings. (Pastor Myke would be more than happy to chat with anyone about the 5 basic emotions, if you have any questions or would like to learn more).

What happens when you have no control over your emotions? They tend to escalate, especially if you do not try to change them. You need to lower the level of emotion that you are feeling.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-Romans 12: 17-21 (NIV)

How to deal with your emotions in a healthy way:

• You need to make a change or get away. When you get too high in an emotion, it's harder to deescalate.
• You need to bring yourself down to a lower emotion to think about your problem with a clear head, so you can resolve the situation.