A PARENT’S ANGUISH Sister Cerullo, I haven’t slept well for weeks. My son has fallen in love with a girl who treats him horribly. I’m so afraid they’ll get married. What can I do?”
This is a tremendous concern for any parent. Even Isaac and Rebekah experienced “bitter grief” over their son Esau’s choice of a spouse (Genesis 26:35). However, if the marriage has not already occurred, there are several things you can do.
First, as a precaution, check your own spirit. Be sure part of the difficulty isn’t your own unwillingness to let your child go. Secondly, seek God’s will. Is this person His choice? If you truly believe they’re not, it’s time to go to work in the Spirit.
Remember that Jesus came to put His ax to the root of the tree? In this case, ask yourself, “What is the root cause of why my child has selected this person? Is he copying a family pattern? Is Satan deceiving him? Is the relationship based on a spirit of lust instead of genuine love? Are there spirits of self-destruction? Get to the root cause through prayer, and then go to war. You are not fighting alone. The Lord says, “fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, RSV).
Work with the Lord to free your child from unhealthy relationships. Then, pray that the right one will come along!
