Ever feel “peer pressure” to “FIT IN” with the crowd? You are not alone! The pressure that is out there to conform today is a real issue among teenagers. Everyone likes to feel as though they belong, and often times this desire leads to making bad choices. Ever do something that you were uncomfortable with, but did it anyway because you thought it was what others wanted you to do? Afterwards how did this make you feel? Most of the time, you struggle with guilty feelings of having done something you would not have done on your own, without someone else pressuring you to do so.
The best way to overcome peer pressure is to make a decision to follow Jesus. When you truly make a decision to follow Jesus, you always have someone on your side, you are never alone. You do not have to face the pressure on your own. Use Jesus as your guide. When you know how Jesus would act in a situation, then you know what to do, regardless of what others might be telling you.
When you decide that being “accepted” by others is not worth risking your self- respect, then you will lean on Jesus to help you resist the peer pressure. True acceptance is being true to your own values, not those others are trying to pressure you into. Jesus accepts you just as you are. You do not have to prove that you are worthy of his acceptance. When others start to pressure you, that should be a sign that they are truly not accepting you, do not be deceived that by doing what they want you to do they will accept you, actually, they are disrespecting you. Jesus loves you just as you are and you are always accepted by him. Choose to be accepted by the best…Jesus!
This is your opportunity to share your thoughts/comments regarding popularity. Please share how this article relates to your life, feel free to ask questions and let’s dialogue (or, “talk”) together around God’s principles.
Tags: peer pressure
This new entry reminded me of that verse in Romans 12:2. It tells us not to be like the world. I love the way the Message puts it;
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
When i was younger i tried to be like everyone else, i wanted everyone to like me. But the sooner that i realized that i was made to stand out and to be different. As children of God, we arn’t made to fit “the mold” of what the world does or wants, we are set apart to be different. In Ps.4:3, it says that God has set apart the godly for Himself. Not for anyone else but Himself! Again in Isaiah 2:9 the word of God tells us we are chosen by God. Once i stoped trying so hard to be like everyone else, i was able to draw close to God. And now i have never had a more personal relationship with Him. Remember that only opinion that should matter to you is your Heavenly Father’s…. So i encourage all of you, STAND OUT BE DIFFERENT!!!! Let your light of Christ shine, and allow your selves to grow deeper in Him. Be Blessed,
Thanks for this article! I think that it really puts things in perspective for us! As Christians, fitting in shouldn’t be that important to us. The only person that we need to please is God, and he will always accept us!
This is a wonderful article and i think all teens should read it! I used to struggle A LOT with peer pressure and it’s true.. once you accept Jesus and trust him all that peer pressure begins to fade away. If you are walking with Jesus you will have the courage to say no with no questions asked. It’s really that simple
it is hard 2 accept urself wen the world doen’t accept u n u feel weird n da whole world thinks ur weird . u start 2 feel weird and ask urself ???? about u
I know this can be a tough concept to grasp, however, it is a very important one. Determining how you feel about yourself based on what others say about you is a dangerous place to be. Being accepted is about knowing who you are in Christ. Knowing what God says about you, so when others say things about you that contradict what God says about you, then you are able to fight that battle with the truth of God’s word. This does not mean it is an easy battle to fight, just that you have the tools available to you to fight with. You are accepted just as you are, by the God of the universe! It is nice to have approval of others, but only if you can get that approval by being “yourself”. The world will look at you as though you are “weird” because to them you are… but that is okay! They do not understand the things of the God, so do not expect them to always understand you. Keep you eyes on Jesus and the rest of the oppinons will not mater as much to you anymore. Following Jesus does give you the courage to be strong in the face of peer pressure. But remember that peer pressure can make you a stronger witness for God, or you can choose to allow it to bring you down roads you ultimately do not want to travel. Make good decisions for yourself today, do not allow others to influence your decisions. Stay strong. I am praying for you all. God bless!
I struggle a lot with acceptance. I am completely unique– crazy, hyper, extremely weird– and because I’m myself people don’t accept me. Well, a lot of them don’t. They think I’m just too weird or something. I’m sure I will tone down and be more mature as I get older but it really brings me down when people don’t accept me. I totally realize that God accepts me and loves me despite my flaws, but I can’t seem to apply it to my life… I just keep caring what other people think of me although I know God accepts me and His opinion is the only one that should matter. But I still get all torn up and sad inside when people don’t accept me
Thank you for the encouraging comments and it has helped me to put things into perspective. Agree with what Hannah said. And its definitely not easy to decide to STAND OUT, not especially when you seem like you’re the only one doing it. But when we place and fix our eyes upon the Lord and know that He accepts us as who we are, the opinions of others are less likely to affect you as much. Keep looking to our Heavenly Father and do things that would be pleasing to him!
The thing about being accepted is… our ultimate goal is to bring people to God right? so dont we need to be accepted by the general public if we are going to try to bring people to Him? i mean if we are only accepted by other Christians who hold our values, we aren’t going to reach any people who don’t already have God in their lives, right?
I truly believe the acceptance starts with self acceptance. Like in Ps 139:14 it says we are fearfully and wonderfully made and you truly have to believe that before you move forward from peer pressure. For a long time I’ve considered myself a victim of peer pressure and until I realized the more optimisic side of my experiences..i remained only a victim. Through everythin I’ve learned that Standing up may not be the most comfortable thing to do but in the end deep down inside your satisfied with your decisions. Recently, I’ve grasped that concept that God is my only true friend and for once thats ok. God is awesome!!
i have nevr had any trouble fitting in. It’s always easy for me, a no brainer. When I decided to follow Jesus, I find that it’s easy to forget about God. As shameful as it is, when we are having fun, we sometimes forget that our focus every single second of our life should be on God. It’s hard to change you know, when people still remember you by how you do things in the past.
I can definitely identify with this article…it hurts to be yourself and be shut down by other people’s comments. Sometimes it just brings my whole mood down and I feel like Im falling into some kind of mini-depression….it hurts, It helps to know that God loves you just the way you are.
Evie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…. Remember The bible says we are in this world not of this world. We are suppose to attract the loss to us, by demonstrating God’s unconditional love to them. The acceptance we are talking about here, is putting “your” value in what others think/say about you, rather than what God says about you. You can be “accepted” by those that are loss, and still know that your value comes from who you are in Christ.
what if you dont fit in your own church?im to shy idk why?only God knows.but i hate how i am,when it comes going there.There is so much drama i am scared.
my goal is never doing drugs which i have not.but i just wish i had attention.by Dugs. idk i want people to say “oh she dose drugs”
i want attention so bad,i know its not the right way.but how can i make this all go away?i feel like the reputation of me and society doing drugs will make me be happy?something to be focused on you know?:(
Maggie, thanks for your comments. First of all,know that anything outside of the will of God for you Will NOT make you happy. Oh, the enemy may fool you into thinking otherwise, but it is temporary. Soon the sin will lead you down paths you do not want to be on. Drugs are not the answer. Having and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus willl make you happy and stay happy. Look to God for your attention. He adores you! Attention from others may or may not manifest, therefore, your happiness has to be wrapped around something that is dependable. And that is the love and attention only God can give you. Once you understand that, then when you get attention from others or when you don’t you will still be happy! Keep your focus on Jesus and the things that matter…the things that are eternal. As for church, choose to stay out of the drama, and keep your focus, once again, on that which matters…the word of God. I will be praying for you. You are loved.
But it so hard?,i really want to overcome my obstacle by not being shy,
idk at this church i left to go to another one,and im stilll visiting on wednesdays.As soon as i enter,a rush of fear just comes,anxiety is what i have.i cry to myself is something wrong with me?why dont i fit in?.but what makes me wonder?why do i get that feeling?im maybe self conscous?.it saddens me.should i keep going to this church and overcome ,even though it would hurt leaving it again,but hate going to it?cuz theresno love for me.
or Go to my new church where theres less youth,but i feel better.
Thanks so much for this article!
it reminded me of the retreat i went to this past weekend and reminded me i am never alone no matter what God will ALWAYS be there for me even if no one else is.
what do say about romanc?Eis there such things as waiting for the right one?
We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God…God bless us..
This is so fitting for i have a fifteen year old who is off to school in florida so to have out reach to reinforce the word of God and to inform our little princess that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and to be able to acess this information is truly uplifting ,as the word of God says if youu seek him he shall be found how are are you looking it keeps them eager
Thanks girls for sharing!
I appreciate when you share your thoughts. For those who are questioning about ‘waiting for the right one’…Yes, allow God to script your love story and stand back and be amazed!
Maggie…
Remember God is love, and God loves you. I will be praying for you, for God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of peace, love and a sound mind. Whatever church you are at, remember God is with you, and he approves of you. Allow God to strengthen you,knowing who you are in Christ. You are loved and you a valuable.
I am a girl that doesnt have acceptance of anything. I’ve been that typical girl that needed that guy to always tell her what she needs to do and how she should be.I was that typical cheerleader that always went to the parties so she wouldnt be picked on or made fun of because she didnt go.
I have decided to completely turn over to God and i havent faced the music of my friends knowing yet.Im not ashamed but what will they say?are they going to accept the fact that ive decided to no longer be that hook up girl for those two football players?will they accept that i no longer what to be wanted for my body? I want to be accept for whats on my inside not the outside but how do i allow not only my self accept that but the people around me?
OMGosh… i agree with u Dori, i am so self conscience about how I act around guys then how i act around other girls… i just want 2 fit in but i don’t know what 2 say or act a lot of times… it just seems like i try 2 please everyone but i can’t please anyone! then i try so hard 2 figure out what is wrong with me…