Monday, August 9, 2010

Peer Pressure

Last Thursday was the senior-send off.  One of our soon-to-be college freshmen led the night; his topic was peer pressure.  Here is a summary of what he had to share:

Three chapters into the Bible, man fails.  That's all it took.  Three little chapters. In the story of the fall of man, we see history's first instance of peer pressure.  Eve was pressured by the Satan to eat the fruit from the only forbidden tree in the garden. Peer pressure part II: Adam encounters peer pressure from Eve. He eats also. (Genesis 3)

We encounter peer pressure on a regular basis - In the hallways and classrooms at school, during soccer practice, and while hanging out with peers on Friday nights. The struggle to know who you are and stand firm in that person comes face-to-face with the temptation to change everyday. There is pressure to fit in, to be liked, and to avoid being left out.

There is such a thing as positive peer pressure.  We often refer to this as accountability. An example of this positive peer pressure could be the friend who challenges you to go to church or to do service or to stay true to who you are. The best kind of peer pressure holds you accountable to the person God has created you to be.

Are there people in your life who hold you accountable through positive peer pressure?

It seems the more pressing topic is the negative kind of peer pressure.  The kind that leaves you questioning who are and why you have done some things you never wanted to do.  I hardly feel the need to give examples.  The pressure to drink, to do drugs, to be in sexual "relationships," to be independent and free to act in anyway that seems fun - if only for the moment - can be great.  The voices you hear in the hallways, classrooms, sports fields, and out on Friday nights can be very loud.

So, how do you avoid selling yourself short and giving in?

The advice of the night: surround yourself with those people you thought of that hold you accountable with positive peer pressure.  Find that group of people that shares your values and accepts you for who you are, for the person God has created you to be. Stick with those people. Stand next to them in the face of negative peer pressure.  Learn to trust that who you are is good and valuable and worth more than a few drinks, or drugs, or sexual favors. Accept that you have worth, and trust that there are people out there who know that too.

When in doubt (and in general really), turn to God.  Pray that He shows you who you are.  Ask Him to lead you to the right group of friends. Offer your friends to Him in your prayers. Let Him guide you through the pressures you experience. 

He will.

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