Laura L. Smith - 5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health

ZONDERKIDZ

5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health

Copyright 2022 by Laura L. Smith

Portions of this book were adapted from 5-Minute Devotions for Girls.

Readers are urged to seek appropriate medical advice for mental health issues and other serious health issues. The author and the publisher assume no responsibility for any injuries suffered or damages incurred during or as a result of the use or application of the information contained herein.

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ISBN 978-0-310-14308-6 (softcover)

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ISBN 978-0-310-14309-3 (ebook)

Epub Edition NOVEMBER 2022 9780310143093

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Dear friend,

As a mom of four kids (two girls and two boys, ages 23, 20, 18, and 15), Ive seen firsthand how anything and everything can come at a teenager. But Ive also experienced firsthand the constant love of Jesus, who is there no matter what comes our way.

Ive seen my kids get chosen for the play, the team, and the scholarship. Ive also seen them get benched, betrayed, and turned down. Ive experienced high highs and low lows with them. My kids and I have laughed, celebrated, and cried together throughout their teen years. Ive walked with them through minor and not-so-minor mental health setbacks. Ive seen Jesus show up time and time again to get them through, hold them up, remind them theyre loved, open a new door, and work something bad for good. Hell do this for you too.

As I wrote these devotions, I kept all the things my kids have been through in mind, the things weve prayed about together, the ways God has shown up for them, the things I still pray they know down in their hearts.

Throughout the pages of this book, Ive included tips from professionals on how to take care of your mental health. But Ive also put the biblical truths that explain the why behind the suggestions on how to care for your mental health. For example, its good for your mental health to get outside. This is Gods perfect plan. He created all of nature. When you get out in nature, you feel God more, sense Him more clearly. It makes sense that being outsidecloser to God and His creationhelps calm and refresh you.

Each devotion includes a prayer or a prompt. Youll find a notes section in the back of the book to record your prompt responses and thoughts.

I pray as you read this book, youll become more equipped to take care of your mental health, now, in your teen years, and throughout your life. But even more so, I pray that youll feel the sweet, deep love of Jesus for you. That youll know He is for you, that He wants only good for you, that Hell fight for you, and that Hell never leave your side.

Love,

Laura L. Smith

For you created my inmost being; you knit

me together in my mothers womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

PSALM 139:1314

ARE YOU ARTSY? ATHLETIC? LOUD? QUIET? SERIOUS OR hilarious? Competitive or easygoing? Do you like to build things, cook, or go for hikes? No matter what you like or how you look, you are made fearfully and wonderfully by God. And that word fearfully doesnt mean scaryit means to inspire awe, as in awesome.

The world (including social media) will try to tell you otherwise. That you dont measure up.

But let it sink in that the Creator of the universe, who is in charge of everything, intentionally sewed you together stitch by stitch before you were born. And all those special things about youthe shape of your eyebrows, the sound of your laugh, the things that make your brain tick, that youre curious about, that bring an uncontrollable smile to your faceGod put all that in you, and He did it on purpose. God made you, and He made you awesome.

***

What makes you you? What do you love to do? What excites or calms you? In the notes section, sketch a picture of yourself or of something that symbolizes you. Thank God for making you exactly who you are. Write the words wonderful and awesome somewhere on the page to remind yourself how God created you.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the

earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly

see his invisible qualitieshis eternal power and divine

nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

ROMANS 1:20 NLT

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT OUTSIDE? AND NOT just to stand at the bus stop or to walk from a building to a climate-controlled car. According to the American Psychological Association, getting outdoors can help improve your attention, lower your stress, put you in a better mood, and reduce your risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

This makes total sense. God created the earth and everything in it. Every tree, rock, creek, flower, frog, squirrel, and bug. Enjoying nature is good for your body, mind, and soul. The fresh air, the trickle of a stream or the crash of a wave, the song of a bird, the sweet scent of wildflowers, or the stunning colors of a sunsetthey all reach somewhere inside you. Getting outdoors can calm your thoughts, inspire curiosity, and spark creativity. It can remind you of Gods great power and love.