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

 LISTEN AUDIO LINK

Helpline: If you have questions and enquiries. 

kindly reach us via +2348023224453 (STRICTLY WHATSAPP) for enquiries on e-devotional only.

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.

LISTEN AUDIO LINK

Helpline: If you have questions and enquiries. 

kindly reach us via +2348023224453 (STRICTLY WHATSAPP) for enquiries on e-devotional only.

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

 LISTEN AUDIO LINK

Helpline: If you have questions and enquiries. 

kindly reach us via +2348023224453 (STRICTLY WHATSAPP) for enquiries on e-devotional only.

TITLE: THE COURAGE TO BE DIFFERENT

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Romans 12:2 (NIV)

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Devotional:

As a teenager, I’m guessing there have been times when you felt pressured to fit in with everyone else, even when it meant going against what you believe or who you truly are. Maybe it’s the way you dress, the music you listen to, or the way you talk. It can be hard to stand out when all you want is to blend in. But here is a powerful truth, God calls us to be different, and it takes courage to embrace that.

Imagine living in a world where everyone is exactly the same, how boring would that be? God did not create us to be carbon copies of each other. He designed each of us uniquely and wonderfully. When Paul wrote to the Romans in that bible verse above, he encouraged them not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This means we are called to think and act differently, in a way that reflects our faith and values.

Think about Daniel in the Old Testament. When he was taken to Babylon, he was faced with immense pressure to conform to the Babylonian way of life. But Daniel chose to stay true to his faith, even when it meant standing out and facing possible danger. His courage to be different not only preserved his integrity but also showed others the power and faithfulness of God.

Jesus himself was different. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, he healed on the Sabbath, and he taught love and forgiveness in a world filled with judgement and hate. His courage to be different changed the world forever.

Having the courage to be different means you are willing to stand up for what you believe in, even when it is hard. It means you are ready to embrace your uniqueness and not be swayed by the pressures around you. It is about living a life that reflects God’s love, grace, and truth, no matter what others think.

Here are a few reflective questions:

• What are some areas in my life where i feel pressured to conform to others’ expectations?
• Can I recall a time when I stood up for what I believed in, even though it was difficult? How did it feel?
• How can I remind myself daily of the importance of staying true to my values?
• In what ways can I encourage my friends to embrace their own uniqueness and have the courage to be different?

Let us pray

Dear God, thank you for making me unique and calling me to be different. Give me the courage to stand firm in my faith and values, even when it is hard. 

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

I am unique.

I have courage to stand firm in my faith and values.

This week, identify one area where you feel pressured to conform. Make a conscious effort to stay true to your beliefs and values in that area. You can also share your experience with a trusted friend or family member and discuss how you can support each other in having the courage to be different.

Do have a pleasant day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

LISTEN: AUDIO LINK

Helpline: If you have questions and enquiries. 

kindly reach us via +2348023224453 (STRICTLY WHATSAPP) ONLY on e-devotional.