From the Lies Young Women Believe team (LYWB.com). What’s the hardest thing about being a teenage girl? We decided to let a teenage girl answer that question—since most of the writers on this blog aren’t in the teen years anymore! Check out this guest post from fifteen-year-old Rebekah (who just happens to be the little sis of LYWB.com blogger, Bethany Baird)
A friend of mine was telling me the name of the latest movie she just watched. I sat there, staring blankly, with no idea what she was talking about. She went on to talk about her favorite movies and bands. I had the same question marks floating in my brain.
But I continued to sit there, nodding my head, acting like I knew what she was talking about. On the inside, I was searching my memory for any trace of those names. A few more girls joined the discussion. Half the time, I didn’t know who they were talking about, but I so desperately wanted to be a part of the conversation and contribute something.
It seemed as though I was the only one in the group who didn’t watch those movies or know anything about those celebrities. I wanted to pull out my phone and do a quick Internet search to catch up.
I wanted to fit in.
So often the teen girls around me discuss Hollywood happenings and I do the awkward nod, not knowing who or what they are talking about. This left-out feeling causes discontentment inside of me. It makes me want to drive to the movie theater to watch the latest blockbuster, even if I know I shouldn’t be watching it. In the moment, guarding my eyes doesn’t matter to me. I just want to fit in.
The struggle against worldly desires is a huge problem for me as a teen girl. In fact, it’s my biggest struggle.
The temptation to compromise in order to fit in is seemingly everywhere. We can’t escape it, but we can choose truth.
I’m bombarded every day with music on the radio, magazines on the shelf, billboards on the road, and movies beckoning me from the big screen. We all live in a culture where people make it a priority to keep up with the newest styles, stay trim, have a boyfriend, and get a really good job. That list of “shoulds” goes on and on.
If you’re a teen girl living in any part of the world, you know what I’m talking about.
How am I supposed to honor God with my life when it seems as if so few girls care?
Answering that question is a battle I face, and I’m sure you are facing it, too. It can be really discouraging.
The Road Less Traveled
It’s not easy, but I am slowly learning that the road less traveled is totally worth taking.
This passage has really encouraged me in my teen years.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15–17).
It isn’t easy, but I’m learning to stand strong against sin. Sin may look appetizing at the moment, but even the forbidden fruit looked appetizing to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-7). Was it worth it in the end? Absolutely not.
Girl, I’m right there with you. I know the struggle you’re in. The temptation to compromise in order to fit in is seemingly everywhere. We can’t escape it, but we can choose truth. Here are three things that help me stand.
1. I read my Bible.
We can run to God’s Word for strength and wisdom. We can fill our minds with the truth we need to stand for Christ, even when doing so gives us that left-out feeling.
A great place to start is in the book of Proverbs. Solomon gives lots of advice to young people on how to resist the world and its temptations.
2. We can read solid Christian books.
Here are some recommendations from me and my sisters.
3. We can pray!
Pray for yourself. Pray for the friends you have. Pray for your sisters in Christ. Prayer is a very powerful weapon you can use when fighting the battle against sin.
No Girl Alone
Even when we feel left out, we are not truly alone.
He is the One who will guide us when the struggles are hard and life gets tough.
We’re all facing the same temptations and struggles. But we also have a God who is amazing and awesome all of the time. He is the One who will help us in our frustrations and temptations. He is the One who will guide us when the struggles are hard and life gets tough. He cares for you, and He cares about your struggles.
As a fellow teen girl, we need to talk about the struggles we’re facing. Let’s encourage and pray for one another.
- What’s your greatest struggle as a teenage girl?
- How is Jesus helping you overcome?
- What specific Scriptures encourage you to avoid compromising just to fit in?
