RISING ABOVE THE PRESSURE

TOPIC: RISING ABOVE THE PRESSURE.

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:25-27, LUKE 2:42-49; 1 SAMUEL 3:19-21

YOUTHS OF REVIVAL ZONE (ABUNDANT BRANCH).

       Many Youths today face a lot of pressure and unique challenges of which the older generation didn't experience a great deal of it.

The present day youths are born in a world of modern technological tools that offers both positive and negative opportunities respectively. Facing incredible pressure about school, the career, business, their future and especially where they fit in the society at large. This youthful age is characterized with disturbing experience, which if not guided appropriately can harm the future of such individual. As, a youth, there are stages of growth and maturity. If not properly managed there is high tendency of falling into wrong lifestyle.

      Two segments to elaborate.

SEG. 1: THE DISTURBING PRESSURES EXPLAINED.

        

         We know that all living things respond to stimuli. Our body chemical has a strong influence on us. A youth journey through this stage of growth, you will encounter disturbing pressures that is usually associated with this phase of life, unfortunately many failed to overcome and fell victims of shameful lifestyle going to  wrong association and company. The following itemizes the pressures youths face today.

* Pressure to fit in:- All youths want to be accepted, but today face more and more pressure to be part of the crowd. Fitting in, might mean having the latest cell phone or the "coolest" wears, or hanging out with the right people. It could even mean using tobacco, alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs, listening to worldly music e.t.c.

* Pressure to keep relationship with opposite sex:- This is an express platform to immoral lifestyles leading to masturbation, formication. e.t.c.

* Pressure to be sexually active:- Television and movies decide the physical appearance to many youths... The most important influence comes from opposite sex. Basically, most decision youths makes when they become to close to opposite can be traced to erotic TV/Movies scenes.

* Pressure to be successful:-  Youths want to be recognized, applauded and appreciated and if not gotten, they tend to look for shortcut and end up joining the wrong association, e.g cultism, prostitution, social club, betnaija, e.t.c, they face huge stress trying to meet up to the demand in a wrong way.

* Pressure to marry:- There have always been issues of setting a particular age point for some youth to settle down, when that time reaches, some youth will do all within their disposition to scale through just to join the company of those that have married thereby taunting their future and some even end up marrying unbelievers.

SEG.2: HOW TO OVERCOME AND BENEFITS.

     

        The way to gain victory over these pressures is to focus your attention on God Almighty in order to please our father in heaven. Proverbs 3:5-7. A child who is obedient to the earthly parents is always cared for and whatsoever be the needs of such child is provided by the parents, Luke 11:11-13; but a disobedient child is a shame and disappointment to the family. You must develop self-discpline if you wish to achieve success in life. Self-discipline is a necessity, cultivate regular attendance to fellowship, engage in meaningful extra-curricular activities. If you are conversant with ICT gadgets and social media, it should be used profitably, choose friends that will add value to your spiritual/academic development. And you must be giving to prayers and ask for the Grace to scale through all these social vices of this age.