Next Step for Young People With ConvictionSample

What’s Your Plan? 

Christina didn't know how to respond. "What's your plan," Christina's mom had asked her earlier that day. Christina wanted to say that she was going to the carnival with her friends, but Christina was smart enough to know that there was more to what her mom had asked. She just had to think about it. 

That night Christina went to the carnival with her friends. They had a great time on the rides and playing games. Christina even won a teddy bear. However, that was not the thing that she remembered the most from the night. 

One by one as the little plastic moles came up and Christina's friends hit them with the mallet, Christina finally understood what her mom had been talking about. Playing Whack-A-Mole was the key to understanding. The little moles represented little problems in her life. She would face one problem just to see another problem pop up. Her life seemed to be focused on these little problems instead of having a plan or direction in life.

Many of us may have the same situation happening in our lives. There are always issues in our lives that pop up, but when we have a plan and direction for our lives, we can handle those issues. There may be issues in your life that you are wanting to change. It might be drugs, wrong values that you want to change, harmful things in your social media, a porn addiction, friends that are pressuring you to do things that aren't right, or even a relationship that has gone too far.

If that is you, then let's make a plan of action. 

1. Set your values.

What are the values that you will hold onto and use to direct your life? What values will be the foundation for your life?

2. Guard your heart and mind from influences.

This means that you stop certain things from coming into your life, such as music, tv, and social media.

3. Question what is "normal."

Don't just follow what everyone else is doing. Ask yourself, what does God want me to do?

4. Make yourself accountable.

Set boundaries and find someone who can be honest with you and help check to make sure you are following the boundaries you have set.

5. Use reminders.

Just like in the story of Ron, put a picture of a hook as your phone background. Put reminders on sticky notes in your room, on your desk, and on the bathroom mirror. Constantly remind yourself.

6. Change your peer group.

If your friends are not building you up and supporting your choices to change, then they are not good friends. Your friends should be there to help and support you as you improve yourself. If they are not, then you need to change your group of friends.