Teenage Tears

Teenage Tears

Let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Psalm 119:76-77

“Courtney has lost a lot of weight,” her mom said, “and I am worried about her. Can you run some tests to see what’s wrong?”

Courtney sat on the exam table picking at her nails, looking down the entire time her mother spoke. I’d taken care of Courtney since she was an infant. I’d watched her grow into a kind and generous young woman. But something wasn’t right. She wasn’t her usual bubbly self.

“May I speak with Courtney privately?” I said.

Her mother agreed to give us some space and stepped out of the room.

I knew this would be a hard conversation to have with a seventeen-year-old, but I hoped she knew me well enough to feel comfortable telling me what was really going on.

“Courtney, the last time I saw you, you weighed 150 pounds, and now you’re down to 120. Why do you think you’re losing weight?”

“I guess it’s because I’m not eating very well. I hide it. I tell my family that I’ve already eaten or that I’m going to go out to eat with friends, but then I never do.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m not hungry.”

“How are you sleeping?”

“Not good. Ever since I broke up with my boyfriend, I can’t fall asleep. I wake up in the middle of the night and just lie there thinking or crying.”

“Tell me about that.”

“I thought Josh and I were going to get married when we graduated. But now . . . I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

If anyone you know is having trouble with sleep or appetite, look to see if there’s an emotional cause. This can often point the way to a diagnosis. Fortunately, for Courtney, things got better. A few months after our appointment, she had regained her confidence. And not long after that, another boy asked her to the homecoming dance.

As parents, our job is to guide our teens and encourage them to seek Jesus as their source of confidence.

TODAY’S RX

Tears and the teen years commonly go together. But if the tears reach flood stage, look for professional help.

Father, may I be a source of encouragement and light to the teens in my life. Help me to plant seeds of faith in their lives and show them that they have worth.