CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH IN THIS 21ST CENTURY

CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH IN THIS 21^ST CENTURY

Challenges are inevitable. Everyone will surely face it both the youth and the aged. Youths are faced with a lot of challenges these days but true sons and daughters of GOD come forth as Gold no matter what is at stake. Ecclesiastes 12 vs. 1: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh; when thou say I have no pleasure in them. Many get carried away during their youth and regret afterwards when they are aged. The youthful stage is a stage of excitement; don’t get carried away by the things of the world. It is a stage of discovery; discover your GOD given gifts and talents. It is a stage of choice, make the right choice. All the challenges faced by youth are surmountable. Here are some highlighted challenges faced by youths:

·         Fear

·         Indecision

·         Peer Pressure

·         Lack of Discipline

·         Low Self Esteem

·         Bad Time Management

·         Lack of Vision

Fear

Fear is a tool in the hand of the devil. Fear drains courage. Fear presents everything from a negative view point. Fear prevents one from making progress. Fear is enemy’s perversion of faith. Fear turns a bright and colorful future to a bleak one. Fear makes you afraid to face tomorrow. Fear makes life unbearable. 2 Timothy 1 vs. 7: For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. Many are afraid of what their future holds. Many are afraid of how they can be great in life, since nobody made headway in their family. Don’t be trapped by fear. Believe in your GOD and believe in yourself. Because CHRIST lives you can face tomorrow. Because CHRIST lives all fears is gone. Because CHRIST holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives. Rather than fear the devil, fear GOD. Proverbs 9 vs. 10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Indecision

This is the inability to decide on a course of action especially if two or more possibilities exist. We all have choice. GOD made each of us with a free will. This enables us to make our own decisions without being influenced. It is good to decide to serve GOD. It is good to decide to do things that please GOD. It is good you decide to do away with ungodly relationship. It is good you decide to move with godly friends. It is good you decide not to do things of the world. 1 Thessalonians 5 vs. 22: Abstain from all appearance of evil. Joshua 24 vs. 15: And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorite’s, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house; we will serve the LORD. Indecision is a challenge faced by youth. Many can’t take decisions on their own. Decisions on the course to study, decisions on what to wear, decisions on moving with godly or ungodly friends. You have to decide what is right and what you won’t regret of doing afterwards. Daniel decided in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat nor wine.

Peer Pressure

This is also a challenge facing youths nowadays. Many youths succumb to peers pressure. They want to wear the latest wears and do the latest things. Many get easily influenced by their peers group. I Corinthians 15 vs. 33: Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners. As youths, we have to take our stand in CHRIST and not get influenced by the world. We should influence the world, the world shouldn’t influence us. (Matthew 5 vs. 13-16). Let the world see your light and glorify your father in heaven. Move with people of vision, people that set their affections on things above and not of the world. Move with people that fear GOD, this goes a long way helping you. (Psalm 1 vs. 1-2). Dinah the daughter of Leah was defiled because of evil company; she was mingling with the daughters of a strange land. (Genesis 34 vs.1). As sons and daughters of GOD we are not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly nor stand in the way of sinners.

Lack of Discipline

Discipline is a controlled behavior. It means self- control. It is a systematic method of

obtaining obedience. Discipline is contentment and is a great gain. Many youth lack discipline. Show me a disciplined man and I will show you a man full of wisdom and knowledge. Show me an undisciplined man and I will show you a man that lacks wisdom and understanding. Our GOD is self- control, He expects us to be self- controlled in all our deeds. Joseph’s discipline prevented him from sleeping with his master’s wife. He said how can I do this great sin and sin against GOD? His discipline moved him to the prison and from the prison to the palace. Daniel’s discipline made room for him in a strange land. Men of discipline will fear GOD. 1 Timothy 6 vs. 6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. That is discipline. Many youth exhibit indiscipline because they are discontented with what they have. Many youth covet material things which profit nothing. A man that covet what others have is  an undisciplined man. As youths, you are to discipline yourself in all aspect. In the aspect of sexuality, eating, spendings and other areas.

Low Self Esteem

Proverbs 23 vs. 7^a  : For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Many youth lack confidence. Many youth belittle themselves. When you think in your heart that you can, yes you will; but when you think in your heart that I cannot, you cannot. Low self-esteem is also a challenge facing youths. Many youths don’t believe in themselves. You have to esteem yourself high and not low. GOD our heavenly Father’s promise for us is that we shall be the head and not tail, be above and not beneath. Don’t limit yourself when you have a limitless GOD. Isaiah 60 vs. 1: Arise and shine for your light hath come and the glory of GOD is risen upon thee. 
  Kindly share with our youths out there to encourage them!!! It is well with us....