5 Truths about Confused Kids

by Annie Yorty

Many of us have children or grandchildren. Perhaps some minister to kids at church. Maybe you’re watching them from afar and shaking your head. Why do we have so many confused kids these days? Maybe there’s a better question. How can we see confused kids through God’s eyes?

Shifting Sand

I endured a two-year period with excruciating plantar fasciitis. Every step drove nails into my heel. When we went to the beach on vacation, I thought walking in soft sand might provide some relief. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The loose, dry sand slid out from beneath my feet with each step. I cried out in pain and moved toward the wet, packed area closer to the crawling waves. The firmer ground provided some relief, but every now and then a strong wave would erode the grains from beneath my feet. The agony drove me back to the swing on the porch of our rented house.

Confused Kids in a Shifting Culture

Our culture confuses kids from birth:

– Continual redefinition of words

– Inability to rely on the truth of images and video

– Interchangeability of sex and love

– Obliteration of gender realities

– Rampant public lying

– Random violence with little justice

– Discrepancies between teaching at school and home

– Retreat by some churches from the whole truth of the Bible

Jesus used the illustration of shifting sand to explain the life of anyone who does not obey His teaching.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. (Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)

Our culture, and sometimes even our homes and churches, do not create the firm foundation of Christ and His teachings. No wonder we have so many confused kids today.

A grace-filled response to kids today helps to shepherd them from confused to confident in the Lord. Share on X

Our Response to Confused Kids

We may be tempted to shake our heads and write off confused kids as a lost cause. If we give in to this inclination, we miss out on a wonderful opportunity to influence the next generation for Jesus.

With the mind and heart of Christ, consider and act on these five truths about confused kids.

1. Many confused kids are lost.

This world lures our children by making evil look good. Lies bombard them daily through varied channels—education, entertainment, news, friends. Many have no knowledge of God.

When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 NLT)

2. Kids have an enemy.

Our children are prey. The predator is Satan. The Bible likens him to a hungry, roaring lion. Satan blinds kids to the truth about God. He’d like to keep our children walking in darkness. Jesus’ light patiently shines as a beacon of truth for confused children.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT)

3. Jesus knows the heart condition of every child.

We all know children who like to test adults’ reactions by wearing outrageous clothing, piercings, hairstyles, or attitudes.

Only Jesus knows the true condition of their heart. His laser vision and love pierce the brittle shell of confused kids. He knows their stories—experiences, thoughts, pain, hopes, insecurities, dreams. Shouldn’t we allow Him to be the judge?

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b NLT)

4. Kids are a work in progress.

We’re often quick to criticize the maturity level of youth as less than what it should be. Before we think too harshly of them, we should honestly assess our own journey toward maturity. I think very few of us could say the path has been a steady, linear pattern. More likely, the route has been circuitous—some steps forward, some back, and some around the block a few times.

Jesus evaluates based on faith. Do we have faith in Him alone? Do we act on our faith? He loves when kids display any shred of faith in Him. He uses their seed of faith to patiently grow them into maturity.

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13)

5. Jesus sees the future of children.

While we see only the present, Jesus sees the potential. Jesus—Alpha and Omega—knows the past, present, and future. As the Creator of this generation, He has already chronicled their lives. He really does have a wonderful plan.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16 NLT)

While we see only the present, Jesus sees the potential. Share on X

Offer the Grace of God to Confused Kids

When we look at confused kids in the light of these five truths, God helps us respond with the gospel. His grace and love shown through us fertilize the soil of kids’ difficult life experiences to raise up a crop of godly adults.

Your grace-filled response helps to shepherd kids from confused to confident in the Lord.

Join the conversation:

How have you seen grace and love increase the confidence of a child?

I welcome your comments!

Copyright ©2023 Annie Yorty

This blog is adapted from my article which first appeared on January 24, 2022 at Crosswalk.

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