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I'm having some problems within my family. It's just that my family seems to always be having problems. My mother and father fight at least once every week. Usually it's not really that big of a deal, but there have been several occasions where they were going to leave each other and get a divorce. I see myself becoming very distant from my family and  don't feel so happy being around them though it is pretty fun to be around them. I am eighteen years old and I just feel that I need more space away from my family to be able to make my own decisions, learn from my mistakes and not be under the control of someone else. How do I go about this? Please pray for me.

What really annoys you from your parents? What makes you sometimes unhappy around them or makes you angry at them though you say they are usually fun? Are these feelings related to their objection to a certain behavior or a choice you have made or to your feeling that they are controlling your life? You are still 18 years old, you did not start college yet and believe me at this age most youth think they know more than they really do.

The Holy Bible teaches us, "Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (Prov 23:22-23). Instruction is something you should pursue especially when it comes from parents that love you very much and want the best for you. Close supervision from the parents should not make you try to escape from the situation but you should face it and discuss it with them. Without an open line of communication between you and your parents, no progress will be made. Try to humble yourself, not only hearing but listening to what they have to say with an open mind and a meek heart knowing that if you are 18 years old, your father is more than double your age, he has double your experience in life and whatever he asks of you is motivated by his love for you. It is always easy to blame our stress or unhappiness on others but it takes courage to honestly evaluate ourselves and with all modesty admit that we just simply want things to be done our way.

Pray that God give  you wisdom and knowledge and make  you accept and joyfully appreciate  the blessings He has bestowed upon you.