Dear RTF,

I’ve been having a lot of trouble at my youth group..and with some adults at my church..sometimes it seems like people who aren’t saved can be nicer than those church people. Has this happened to you before?? Or is it just me?

And another thing. How do you know when God talks to you? Is it something you feel? Or just something that you ‘know’ when it happens? Anonymous

Dear A,

Sometimes people are still works in progress, even though they are believers. You look at the disciples and you see impulsive people (Peter), arguing people (James and John), doubting people (Thomas) and yet God used them to change a world.

I have been hurt before by someone from my church, but I realized I couldn’t change that person. I was only responsible for my response to the situation–and to that person. When people are a work in progress (just like I am sometimes) I ask God for grace and mercy. 

If this situation is really uncomfortable, it may be that you need a different church group or it may be that you ask God to give you such a heart of mercy that things roll off of you as you run after him.

Whatever you decide, ask God for wisdom, patience, and His peace as you make that decision. But keep your eyes focused on Him. Okay?

Your second question: How do I know when God talks to me? I know that He talks to me when I sense that deep peace, when I’m reading God’s word and something leaps off the page, when I feel that tug in my heart that says “wait” or “stop”.

Listening to that voice is the harder part, but I’ve learned to stop when I do and to fully hear what the Holy Spirit is trying to do in my life at that moment.

You’ve asked such great questions. I hope you come back to Real Teen Faith.

Suzie Eller
Real Teen Faith