(Photo by Selma Komisky)

Wrestling With Fitting In

By Jaelyn

Have you ever felt like you just wanted to fit in with all the other teenagers? Like you just wanted to do everything that everyone else was doing? My answer to those questions is yes.

It’s so hard being a teenager, especially during this time period. You see teenagers going to parties, vaping, cussing, etc. It’s hard because us being Christians we know we aren’t supposed to be doing those things. Now we aren’t perfect and we do mess up sometimes but we have to learn from those mistakes and learn how to fight off those temptations! A way you can help fight off those temptations is by praying and definitely staying in God’s word.

I struggled with wanting to fit in for a very long time. I always wanted to be liked by everyone and be popular until I realized that God made me different for a reason. He set me apart from everyone else because He had a better plan for my life. There where times when I felt alone and to be honest there are times when I think about what people think about me. When I post something on my Snapchat or whenever I think about if my friends think I’m weird or if people make fun of me, you know what it’s OK. It’s OK if they think I’m weird because at the end of the day, if your friends aren’t building you up and helping your walk with God, then maybe God doesn’t want them to be in your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The reason we teenagers struggle with trying to fit in is that we just want to be popular or be liked by everyone. We want to have the most likes on Instagram or have the most views on Snapchat. But remember at the end of the day the only opinion that matters is God’s! Being different is OK!

Always remember that each and every one of you has a purpose and a plan for your life. You may or may not know what your calling is, but just trust in God and stay in the Word because, trust me, He will help you fight off those feelings of loneliness, depression, and everything! Never forget who you are in Christ!

You are strong! You are beautiful! and You have an amazing calling on your life. Jesus loves you and so do I!!