TEENS FINDING HOPE, INC.
  • Home
    • About
    • Mission & History
    • Leadership
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Help Now
  • The Facts
    • Facts for Teens >
      • Depression, what is it?
      • How do I know I have it?
      • Warning Signs
      • What do I do now?
      • People Like Me
    • Facts for Teens - Spanish
    • Facts for Parents >
      • What is Depression?
      • Warning Signs
      • Causes and Risk Factors
      • Treatments
      • How can I help my child?
      • Taking Care of the Family
      • Meds
    • Facts for Parents - Spanish
  • Strategies
    • E-Cards
    • Worksheets
    • Actions You Can Take
    • Hope >
      • Videos
      • Music
      • Written
      • Share Your Story
    • Faith >
      • Why am I like this?
      • Faith Support
  • Resources
    • Website Resources
    • School Resources
    • Resources for Teens
    • Resources for Families
    • Newsletters
    • Free Downloads
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Donate

Blog

Overcoming Family Hurt

12/26/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s the day after Christmas, and although many of you may not celebrate this holiday, I’m aware that there are other family celebrations happening around this time; and I know what that means.  It means many of you are nursing some deep wounds today, afflicted by members of your family. Members you thought would give you love, but gave hate instead.

Perhaps it was an aunt who brought up the mistakes of your past, mistakes she can never forgive you for committing.  Or maybe it was a grandparent who greeted other members of the family warmly and then barely acknowledged you. It might have been a group of cousins who chose to ignore and ostracize you from the family, letting you know they find you unworthy of their time or conversation.

Whatever the grievance, you are hurting and wondering why you are receiving such nasty treatment from people who are supposed to accept and encourage you.  I want you to know that I’m thinking of you today, and I don’t have easy answers. Quite frankly, it makes me sick to see people act this way. You may wonder if it will ever get better.  I can’t say. However, I do have a little piece of truth for you to hang onto in this moment, one you can repeat when the pangs of hurt come crashing over you:

    “It reflects badly on them.”

Regardless of their reasons for being upset, their choosing to treat you badly instead of trying to solve their issue and repair a family connection reflects badly on their character - not yours.  Remind yourself of this fact every time those nasty scenes replay in your mind. Then set some boundaries for yourself.

You do not have to allow people to bully you, even if they are family.  Respect them? Yes. Retaliate? No. Give yourself space from them? By all means, yes!  And if they decide to repair the relationship? Should we forgive them, even after the years of hurt they’ve caused?  Yes. Let’s offer them the grace they should have been showing us. They are family, after all. Until then, friends, keep being yourselves.  You are worthy of love just as you are, even when you’re different from your family.





0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All
    Addictions
    Alone
    Anger
    Anxiety/Stress
    Bi Polar
    Body Image/Eating Disorders
    Broken Heart
    Bullying
    Change
    Depression
    Disappointment
    Family Issues
    Friends
    Hope
    How To Help
    Injustice
    Life Lessons
    Medicine
    Peer Pressure
    Pregnancy
    School
    Self Care
    Self Injury
    Stigma
    Suicide
    Teens
    Therapy

    RSS Feed

Providing resources and encouragement to teens and families affected by depression. ​
Picture
About
History
Leadership
Get Help Now

DONATE NOW
​teensfindinghope@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2020 Teens Finding Hope, Inc. All rights reserved.