Susan Dunaway is a counselor at Resonate Relationship Clinic and an adjunct professor of psychology at Johnson County Community College. As a counselor she is blessed to work with teens to help them become healthier, happier and more at peace with who they are. She is married to John and they have two young sons, Eli (5) and Liam (3).
Summertime is here! That means time in the sun to hang out with friends, no due dates and no assignments to complete!
I adore summer; my husband is a teacher so he’s home with us, plus, I don’t have to wrangle two boys anywhere by 8:00 a.m.! But as a therapist, I can also get a bit nervous about summertime. I know it’s hard to be a teenager. It can be especially difficult to be a Christian teenager. And of course (unfortunately), you can be a Christian girl and still struggle with all sorts of things.
I know some girls wrestle with drug use, eating disorders, sexual activity and cutting (among others). These are all easier to give in to during the freedom of summer. But there is no freedom in being tied to problems such as these. If you’ve experienced it or know someone who has, you understand that it’s really slavery, not freedom. You may be able to “get away with it” during the summer, but really, its just taking you hostage.
Satan tempted Jesus when Jesus was alone. Do you think he has changed with time? No. Satan comes after all of us, whispering lies about whatever he’s trying to peddle. But you are more powerful than you may know. How do you combat temptations when no one is around?
Here is how I encourage you to spend your summer:
- If you have a struggle that is more difficult when you are by yourself, make sure some key people know about it (like your parents, mentors, close friends). Make a specific accountability plan with them and stick to it.
- Start every day and end every night with at least a few minutes of prayer and Bible time. Focusing on the Word can help bring much needed clarity to your choices.
- Memorize this scripture: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This scripture is great to keep in mind as so many of the things that tempt us are done to our bodies. These choices can result in our harm, but they also result in our turning from God.
- Keep in touch with strong Christian peers. Use the SUSIE Sisterhood as well as close-by friends. The more you communicate with peers who share your beliefs, the easier it will be to turn your back on temptation.
- Stay involved! Attend Christian camps, go on a missions trip, volunteer with a Christian-based organization. Focus on using your gifts to bless others.
- Print out these steps or write them down. Decide which of them you will commit to and how often. Refer to them during in the coming weeks to make sure that your choices please the One who made you and who offers you true Light and Freedom!
Make it an awesome, Christ-focused summer!