7 Ways To Overcome Peer Pressure Before You Succumb

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you are being pushed or you are moved to doing things that are against your morals or wish? if so then you might have been undergoing peer pressure.

 Peer pressure is the feeling–real or imagined–that you need to go along with a person or a group or suffer some consequence such as rejection, name-calling, or loss of esteem

The Bible never uses the words “peer pressure,” but it does tell us how we should deal with the many trials we will face in our lives, especially those involving unbelievers. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer 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.

Here are some steps to overcome peer pressure.

1. Real Friends Accept You As You Are.

Some people make the mistake of trying to befriend people who aren’t friend-worthy. A real friend may not entirely share your beliefs, but will respect you.

2. Saying ‘No’ When you find yourself in bad peer-pressure situation

“No, thanks”. When a peer brings up a bad idea, it sometimes feels like everyone else’s silence means it’s an accepted idea. Instead, the silent majority may also be thinking the same as you, but too scared to say so. It often takes just one person to stand up to turn a situation.

3.Will I Be Proud of This Tomorrow?

A good rule to follow, when in doubt, if you will be proud of yourself when the ordeal is over. Conquering your fear of public speaking might be a positive, while bullying a peer or breaking a leg may not be.

4. Identify the Behavior.

What is it you are not comfortable with? Peer pressure is not always towards doing something dangerous, but often is. The question is: does this behavior potentially hurt yourself, others, or physical property?

5. Decide what it is that you are afraid of.

Possible insults? Looking different or weird or unnatural the average bystander? Not being part of the in-crowd? Well, if it is any of these things, you need to let them go. Remember, you can be insulting for anything. Even if you don’t like some style of music or if your parents are a bit on the weird side. Don’t fear their insults, 90% of the time the reason someone is giving you an insult is because the are insecure themselves. Don’t let their hostility bring you down.

6. Make your own opinions about things.

Something new comes out, like a new movie or a new fashion trend, and if you don’t like it, stick to that opinion. If you do, stick to that. If you are unsure or you opinion changes over time, that is fine. Just know why you can’t decide or it changes. Letting other people decide what we do and how we behave is exactly what Satan hopes we will do; if we never stand up for what is right because of peer pressure, we are actually standing up for what is wrong

7. Be polite and mannerly. Although it seems weird that I must mention this, it is very important. Just trust me on this. Smile. Show your content, show your nice. Show that you are okay with who you are and the decisions you have made (aka, not giving into peer pressure)

Romans 12:14-16 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”