TITLE: RESISTING NEGATIVE INFLUENCES

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Romans 12:21 (NIV)

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Devotional 

Negative influences are factors that have a harmful or detrimental impact on an individual’s life, well-being or behaviour. They include  unhealthy role models, unwholesome contents on social media such as violence, immoral acts. These often have damaging effects on one’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Their influences can be so strong that they make people adopt harmful behaviours like substance abuse and self-harm. Consistent exposure to these negative influences can lead to a distorted image of one self.

 To overcome negative influences, you must be able to discern between positive and negative influences and resist the pressure to conform to harmful  and unwholesome behaviours.

Here are a few ways to distinguish between positive and negative influences:

• The potential consequences of the trend on individuals and society as a whole. Does it contribute to growth, well-being, or progress, or is it harmful, regressive or exploitative?
• Do they align or are in conflict with your personal values? 
• Is it sustainable?

Here are a few reflective questions:

• Have I got people who inspire me? Why do they inspire me?
• Can I make intentional choices that align with my values to contribute to a more authentic and purposeful way of living?

Let us pray:

Lord, please help me not to be negatively influenced and help me to be a positive influence everywhere I am.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I am a good influence. I will change the world for good.

Go bloom where you are. Show the world the beauty that resides in you. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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TITLE:  BUILDING RESILIENCE AGAINST NEGATIVE PEER INFLUENCE

The Bible verses for today’s devotional are:  (i). Proverbs 4:23-27, (ii). Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

i “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

1. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm

Devotional

Resilience is one of the skills you must develop and foster its growth to maturity. Resilience is the ability to withstand challenges and adversity without being devastated.  It is called the bounce-back-ability quotient.

In life you will experience negative peer pressures, it happens to everybody both young and old.  Chiamaka, a teenager was once asked how she overcame negative peer pressure in the boarding school and these were her very impressive responses;

• I know my values, beliefs and boundaries
• I am confident, satisfied and absolutely okay with being different, it’s  no challenge at all.
• I associate with my kind, people who have the same values, beliefs and lifestyle as mine.
• I don’t bother about negative influences. I concentrate my energy on influencing my peers positively.

Most of the time, teens succumb to negative peer pressure because they want to be accepted by a certain group of people they should never have anything to do with. They also entertain this Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), but remember that you have the final say not by public opinion of what is the most important thing in your life per time.

Today’s basic scripture teaches you how to guard your heart and gain the bounce back ability. It is your sole responsibility. Be resilient!

Let us pray: 

Lord by the revelation of your word, I understand that it is your will that I should live above the pressures of this world. I receive grace to stay true to my values and beliefs. Amen

Here are a few reflective questions:

Have I ever had times I have let my guards down and allowed negative influence into my space? How did that experience make me feel? 

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them:  

I am of the generation that will influence the world positively.

 I wish you a beautiful day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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Title: Anchoring your faith in troubled waters

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV)

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Devotional:

My mentor says that every ‘misbehaviour’ can be linked to one of 2 things: either a non-discovery of self OR a non-remembrance of self. This means that for every time we act/make decisions based on our feelings of not being good enough, inadequacies of all sorts, our fears, it is because we have either forgotten who we are, or we did not know ourselves in the first place. 

Whenever we find ourselves unable to withstand challenges, drifting from our ideals, values and goals, doubting, afraid or losing control, typically in the midst of challenging situations, it can be traced to issues of our identity.

In our text today, Jesus asked Peter a crucial question: ‘why did you doubt?’ To doubt means to be shaky, to be double-minded, to waver. To have faith on the other hand is to remain steady. But steadiness only occurs when our identity rests solidly on an anchor, and that anchor is our identity as children (offsprings, products) of God: capable, whole, fully loved, well-covered, and protected by his ever present presence. 

Here are a few reflective questions:

• What was my initial reaction to a difficult situation that I faced?
• Was it fear-based or faith based? 
• What do I believe about myself that made me react this way?
• What new belief must I embrace that  will keep me steady if I face a similar situation next time?

Let us pray:

Father, I know you’re always with me. With you, there is nothing I cannot handle. I put my trust in your strength as I go about my day today. 

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them.

I am strong, and I have the capacity to handle every challenging situation that comes my way today. 

Go do amazing things today and take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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Title: Being a Positive Influence Among Peers

Relatable icon: Joseph

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 

Devotional

Joseph was a resilient dreamer in the Old Testament who overcame betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment with unwavering integrity and faith. His journey in fulfilling purpose started from when brothers disbelieving his uniqueness and out of envy sold him off to slavery. His life teaches us the power of resilience in adversity, the importance of maintaining our values in the face of temptation, and the transformative impact of forgiveness. 

Joseph's story is a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, we can shine brightly as positive influences among our peers, inspiring others with our resilience, integrity, and capacity for forgiveness.

 As a teen, you carry that light with you wherever you go. But what kind of light are you shining among your peers? Are you radiating positivity, kindness, and encouragement? Or is your light dimmed by negativity and gossip?

Here are a few reflective questions:

• What are some qualities of positive influence?
• How can I demonstrate those qualities in my everyday interactions with peers?
• Can I think of a time when I was influenced positively by someone. What impact did it have on me?
• Are there any behaviours or attitudes I need to change to have more positive influence?

 Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I am capable of being a positive influence among my peers.

I strive to lead by example, showing love, kindness, and integrity in all that I do.

Go colour the world. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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