In Other Words: Peer Pressure
Peer pressure - it’s not just a kid thing. How often are we sucked into it, to please others, to be like others, to follow others ideals of what godliness is rather than what God wants us to do. As women we can easily fall into it, with what to wear or not wear, to wear make-up or not, to have our hair a certain length, to cook only wholesome all natural food (despite our husbands wanting porkchops on the grill), etc. Some of you may remember the Gentle Spirit Magazine from over ten years ago that captivated many women’s hearts and ideals to follow. It was easy to pour more over that magazine and follow a woman’s thoughts of her desires, rather than to follow God, and what disappointment it was when the failings and sins of the author became public. It was an awakening that any person can fail us -yet it can be so tempting to follow man rather than God.
It’s not just the people we look up to, but our friends that walk close beside us or others within our church or family that we feel we have to please to get their approval. For many years I tried to please my mom to no avail – to the point that it would affect our whole family. I could never get her approval or blessings and there were times my husband had to sternly encourage me to back away. Can’t we have that inner, sometimes annoying conviction to not follow what a friend wants us to do, where to go, what book to read, etc., as God keeps tapping on our heart saying “no”. The peace won’t come from meeting a friend or family’s approval, but God’s.
We have seen it too with our own family especially since the death of our son. Most inside the close inner Christian circle do not want to discuss or remember our son with us. Possibly they see how we failed, or what we did wrong, and yet, we see how it can be used for God’s glory and sharing Him. However, a door is slowly beginning to open that our entire family is excited about to be able to share in various ways with our community along with being able to encourage other hurting people who do not have the hope in Jesus we have. It’s not a matter of getting man’s approval, but sharing what God has laid upon hearts, and as doors are opened by God, we know He is pleased.
This week, Denise is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, “Shorty Bear’s Place“. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote. Then come back here on Friday, for next Tuesday’s new quote for In ‘Other’ Words.Be blessed.
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Very nice my friend, bless you.
Great post, Loni. I loved it. Happy IOW Tuesday!
Peer pressure effects us at all ages! Thank you for sharing and I pray God continues to open doors for you!
Be blessed!
Peer pressure isn’t just a kids thing. Bingo! That never goes away so its best we learn how to handle it. Thanks.
Hey Loni,
Great post. I’m so sad to read how the people in your close circle have not embraced all you’ve endured or what to talk about your son. That really breaks my heart. (Hope I read this correctly?)
Truly they are missing so much. God has truly used this in such a mighty way that has brought healing and hope to many, including myself.
Yes, we must follow after HIM, even though some may not follow~
Blessings Loni
Loni-
Connor fell into the peer-pressure trap and lost his life. It is so hard for all of us to overcome what the world wants us to do/be,we need to let God have control of what he wants us to do in our time here on Earth.
We are never so old that we are immune to peer pressure. Thanks for the wise reminder. Bless you!
Hello.
Very good post. I have dealt with the people not talking thing but not about the loss of a child (although we have lost an infant son) but about my mental illness and subsequent hospitalization in a psych ward in 2001. Made a hard situation TERRIBLE to not have other Christians to help bear it.
Have you ever heard of “star tipping?” We were at a bonfire and some young kids were doing it. They have one person spin around in a circle while staring at the sky and then yell stop. As soon as they yell it they shine a flashlight directly in the spinners eyes and the spinner abruptly hits the ground. Of course I was very nervous of it but don’t know if it’s anything like the choking game??? My son did it without me knowing about it until after wards and I really warned him not to do it again. YIKES!
God’s Peace,
Sarah