How should I deal with peer pressure?

Do not change yourself to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect (Romans 12:2). Peer pressure is an issue that often plagues a many number of individuals. We�re quite aware of it and we know that it will always be there, but the question is how do we deal with it. Well, the best way to live your life is not how others want you to live, but how God intended you to live. From before you were formed in the womb, God knew you and had a purpose for you (Jeremiah 1:4). God created you because he had a specific purpose for you on this earth, so it is His words that should be most important to you, not those of others. I say this because if someone is suppossed to be your friend, they would not help you in falling away from Christ. It would be best to re-evaluate what friendship is, decide if in fact those that surround you are true friends, the kind that urge you towards Christ and God�s will for your life. Let�s say that you are not yet with Christ and someone is urging you to look at Christ and perhaps becoming a Christian. There should never be too much pressure. That person should realize that the decision has to be a personal one between you and the Lord.

Another thing we need not get confused between is encouragement and peer pressure, they are very different. Encouragement is something that would motivate you in the right direction and perhaps assist you on your journey towards God. Peer pressure is something that comes from your peers when they want you to do something that is against your morals or ethics. You see, one is a motivator and a helper where the other is a hindrance and a stumbling block. When it comes to peer pressure, it does not matter what others will say or think about you, because the reason they pressure you is that they are afraid to face the consequences alone. The first thing you have to do when faced with suggestions from others, is to stop and think. Everything you do in life is a choice you made. What route you took to school, the shoes you put on today or the relationship you have with God, all of it is a choice. Some choices are more critical than others but all have results or consequences. If you take the longer route to school today with the same amount of time for the shorter route, you will be late and there will be a consequence or result from that choice. When you choose God as you savior then the results are magnificent. So herein lay the key to peer pressure. Take time to look at the choices and evaluate the consequences. Whichever choice has results that lead you in the opposite direction of God is the one you should avoid. Make God�s will for your life and His commandments for you be the one thing that you weigh your choices on.

Just remember when it comes to the day of judgement, the only one who will answer for our actions is you. Your friends will not be there and you will not be able to use them or peer pressure as an excuse. When all is said and done, the decisions you make are yours and you will have to answer for them. Always remain true to God and allow your friends to make their own decisions for themselves. The are a few sayings recalled at this time and they come from a book Titled LOVE, by Leo Buscaglia). They are based on the art of becoming, becoming a Christian and a individual. They are as follows:

�I exist, I am, I am here, I am becoming, I make my life and no one else makes it for me. I must face my own shortcomings, mistakes, transgressions. No one can suffer my non-being as I do, but tomorrow is another day, and I must decide to leave my bed and live again. And if I fail, I don�t have the comfort of blaming you or life or God.�

��The easiest thing in the world to be is what you are, what you feel. The hardest thing to be is what other people want you to be, but that�s the scene we are living in. Are you really you or are you what people have told you you are? And are you interested in really knowing who you are because if you are, it is the happiest trip of your life.�

I simply mean that it is what you are on the inside through your relationship with God and His existance in your life, that matters. If you truly are right with yourself and God and comfortable in your own skin, then they will never be the need to do, act, dress or say anything that disrespects yourself. These shocking clothes and make-up, clothes that barely cover your body or are all black are all about attention. They suppossedly �express� who you are. But there is no need for these things when you know what you stand for and how you feel. Your expression comes through in your words and the way you live your life in God�s ways. No one can lead you down a path which is not right when you know God and trust in His will for you. Do your best to avoid those that would push you in a less than favorable direction. However, if you still feel the weakness to give in to peer pressure there is one kind that will do you well, so let it be that of Christ Jesus your brother.