Between social media, television and music, we’ve had a picture painted for us. It supposedly tells us everything we need to know in order to be a successful teenager. We learn how to act, dress, speak and feel. We not only trust these standards, we apply them to our lives every single day. We’re hardly individuals, simply clones of who we’re “supposed” to be. What if these standards are all lies leading us to a hopeless life? If that's the case, we’re all following the same standards and headed down the same hopeless road. Break the streak. Hear these seven lies teenagers today believe, and know the truth.
1. Everyone wants to know everything I do and think the second I do it or think it.
Life is too short to pause. You don’t just have a front-row seat to this life you were given, you’re the main character. Embrace the people around you. Thank God for the joys that come with each day. Experience life. Soak it all in. Enjoy life. Live. Don’t pause to post.
2. If you aren’t in a relationship, you aren’t happy.
A God-ordained relationship is beautiful and worth waiting for. You don’t need a relationship in order to be happy. Romance isn't the only blessing of this world. There's independence, adventure, friends, family and so much more. Take advantage of everything the Lord has blessed you with. Thank God for where He’s put you in life right now. Don’t waste today waiting on the promises of tomorrow.
3. Your voice doesn’t matter, you can’t change anything.
The voices of this generation are determining a lot of things in society today. Let your voice be the voice of hope. The Lord has put you here, now, for a purpose. Take advantage. Be in tune with His voice, and let it echo through you.
4. If you don’t make mistakes now, you won’t have anything to laugh about when you’re older.
God blesses obedience. A life spent serving Him brings more joy and stories than any mistake ever could. Everyone makes their fair share of accidental mistakes, adding purposeful mistakes could be lethal. Don’t make mistakes now that could keep you from getting older.
5. You are defined by what others think of you.
Your Heavenly Father, who created you, defines you. Nothing this world ever tells you holds a candle to what He tells you. He tells you that you were beautifully made in His image. He tells you He has placed a calling on your life. He tells you there’s hope and purpose found in Him alone. Let the Father drown out the voices of this world.
6. You’ll only be seen if you blend in. Look the part, act the part.
That’s just senseless. You were created unique. You were given a purpose. You were placed here to point people to your Father. Don’t blend in. Stand out. God does not make junk and He doesn’t clone. Let people see the you your Father created, and point them to Him.
7. You deserve anything and everything you want.
Today, everyone gets a trophy. The sad reality is, most of the time we don’t deserve one. Work hard for the things you want and need. The Lord will bless you in the ways He sees fit. Sometimes that doesn’t line up with what we think we need. But since He sees all and knows all, don’t you want your life in His hands instead of your own?
Society is not the author of your story. People don't define who you are or how you should act, feel or live. Stop listening to their lies. Your Heavenly Father wrote your story long ago. It was designed specifically and uniquely for you. Follow His hopeful voice and let it drown out the cloned voices of this world.
