Friends and Family

A church leader struggles with emotion, broken because his son is ignoring the truths he has been taught. He shares how painful it is to recall bygone years of childhood, when their relationship seemed intimate and unshakeable. Now his son has lost his job and seems far from God.

A Christian businessman shares his heart, thinking about a son who has lived with his girlfriend for years. He seemingly has rejected the faith, and even traveled to India because of fascination with Hinduism.

A mother weeps, feeling rejected by her adult daughter, who “believes” but still seems poisoned by bitterness. The relationship seems irreparably shattered.

Churches and families are filled with stories like these—stories of parents and children, friends and acquaintances, pastors and elders; stories of children who seemingly know the Truth, yet who, as “adults,” have gone their own way; grieving parents who wonder if there is any hope; men and women who wonder if their friends will ever return to the faith.

These are times to remember God’s promises and confess His Word. Remember that if parents “train up a child in the way he should go…when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Remember Jesus’ command that we always should “pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1 NIV).

Remember that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Do you know someone who has strayed? Who knows the Truth, but has drifted away? Don’t give up. Pray. Believe. Trust God.