Concerning the request for wisdom for dealing with a troubled relationship with your children, one of the most painful things to experience in life is a strained relationship with your children; no matter the age, it's painful. The most effective thing to do when relationships are in trouble is to pray for the relationship and the individual.
In most of the cases in the Bible where there were strained relationships, it was prayer and patience that brought the change. Please know that the unrighteous choices that our children make are not a negative reflection on your commitment to righteousness. Forgiveness is the key to mending broken relationships and the compassion to work toward trust and restoration.
God was the best parent ever and His children, Adam and Eve, disobeyed and caused their relationship to be strained. Yet, their unrighteous decision did not keep God from being God. He chose to forgive them, and He gave them a plan of restoration. I believe the story of the prodigal son best models the wise behavior when family relationships are strained.
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me... Luke 15:11-24What an awesome story that has volumes of wisdom when children go astray. Although the son went away, the fact that the father saw him afar was evidence that the son stayed on the father's mind. The son was repentant; the father forgave and restored him back into fellowship. Establishing guidelines and demonstrating love are the keys to reestablishing strong relationships.
I thought of a teaching that Dr. Bridget ministered at our church on family relationships. I want to offer this to you with a significant discount because I know that the wisdom in this teaching will help you in developing strong relationships.