Peer pressure. It never stops.
When I was in high school, it was about drinking and sex. When I was in college, it was still about drinking and sex. And as an adult, peer pressure still takes on many different forms. Like the pressure to say yes when I know I need to say no. Or the pressure to buy things that I don't need with money that I may not have in order to feel part of something . . . anything.
You get the picture, and you've felt those same pressures. If you're like me, you want to get out from under peer pressure so bad you can taste it. I'd like to give you five questions you need to ask that will help you overcome peer pressure:
1. Am I clear on my non-negotiables?
Sit down right now, and write down what you are willing to do and what you will never, ever do. Determine ahead of time your non-negotiables when it comes to money, time, modesty, sex, and relationships. Don't wait until you're in the thick of it to come up with your answers. Decide now.
2. Have I cleared it with God?
A great habit to develop is the habit to take time and pray about it first. Prayer gives you time to check with God what He thinks about the decision, and it will give you time to make sure you're headed down the right path.
3. Have I cleared it with my parents?
Another critical question is: Have I cleared it with my parents? God designed your parents to be your gauge for wise decisions. I'm forty, and I still check with my parents on almost every decision I make!
4. Is my conscience clear?
People will never agree on what you said or how you acted. You will always have some critics in your life. But that's not your problem as long as you're acting with a good conscience toward God and man—to the best of your ability. You can't please all people at all times, but you can please the Lord. That should be your main priority.
5. Is the outcome clear?
Get used to checking your GPS for unexpected travel delays and accident pockets. Run each scenario in your head, and see where the road is headed. Even though you won't be able to predict every outcome every time, you will be surprised how often you will see the danger down a road and manage to avoid it. Learn from other people's mistakes!
Galatians 1:10 says this: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
When it comes to peer pressure, whom are you trying to please the most?
This post was written by Bethany Baird.
