It is a pity that many people are bowing to the mounting and daunting pressure in the present-day world. Certain forces are threatening their inner peace, making them to live in confusion about the right direction to go. The pressure may come from work/career, peers, family, friends and colleagues. Pressure may emanate from the workplace, school, neighbourhood, and the society at large. The fact is that yielding to pressure makes one vulnerable to its attendant negative influences.
Youths are most susceptible to yielding to pressure because, they often keep to themselves. Therefore, they are highly prone to many societal ills and vices, which may prevent them from achieving their potentials. It is noteworthy that many destinies have been truncated due to bad peer pressure, influence or influencer(s). Parents need to be sensitive to their children’s emotional and psycho-social needs, and also create time to listen to them. They must be guided, directed and led in the right way; otherwise, the society will teach them its own ways. Listen to a wise counsel: “My son, if sinners entice thee; consent thou not” (Prov. 1:10). The world is full of various forms of allurement and enticement which can make one derail from the truth. Don’t agree with them! The emergence of technology has even made the matter worse, as it is easier to be enticed in our contemporary time. For instance, right under the nose of parents, their children can be led astray by online and social media negative influence. As parents, we should stop thinking that our children are still young and innocent, we should rather allow them to discuss with us.
As a child of God, you must be wary of relationships you keep. Bad friendship predisposes one to negative influences. You must set boundaries on the associations you keep in your class, workplace and community. The simple fact is that every Dick and Harry cannot be your friend! “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1Cor. 15:33). It is quite worrisome that some believers want to be with Jesus, and at the same time keep ranks with the world.
Friend, you have to be intentional and maintain your stand about issues of life. Joseph did not succumb to the sinful and sexual pressures mounted by the wife of Potiphar. Daniel and the three Hebrew men did not yield to the pressure to eat from the king’s table. These people denied themselves and overcame the temptation to bow to the dictates of flesh. Beloved, don’t succumb to pressure!
You need the help of the Holy Spirit to be able to stand for God in the face of pressures and temptations. God bless you.
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