Peer Pressure isn't just for teens

It's hard to believe.

It's not only hard to believe in existence of metaphysical beings, but it's even harder to tell people about it. I find it incredibly ironic that the vast, vast majority of individuals that are atheists or basically evolutionists or just simply question a lot of theological references will go out of their way to argue their point to you or basically mock anyone who is a believer of any religion--especially Christians.

There are a lot of unanswered questions in everyone's life, and I get it--the question mark of where we came from, where we end up, and the journey and decisions we make in life making that possible is something that can be a joke to those who say there's no possible way that God exists because there are so many unknowns. And that is what the crux of all this is--the unknown. If there were evidence to the contrary--real time miracles that can be attributed to God's presence--while there would still be naysayers and people questioning even if God sat down next to them and had a conversation, some of the unknown could at least be cleared up.

But the thing that is hardest for anyone to fully grasp, and a struggle for me as a whole, is faith. Believing in what isn't there. Working a life that is filled with intent on something that you've never seen or will see with your living eyes. Making decisions and sacrifices that are not self-indulgent, but rather selfless based on principles that we take wholeheartedly as The Way.

Difficult doesn't begin to describe it.

And what's even harder is the fact that peer pressure seems to be one of the biggest obstacles to me in my faith with God. I have friends that will argue up and down and try to make me feel stupid about belief in religion, and it is indeed extremely difficult to say--I believe.

So again, another benchmark in my journey has to be that if given the opportunity, I will, without reservation, be able to tell my friends without a second glance--"I believe and accept Jesus Christ as my savior." I honestly do not think I have even been able to fully tell myself that--so that is the first step, and then it is being able to stand proud as a follower of God.

Now one thing I want to clear up....I do not mean the "paraders" or "bible thumpers" as I have been critical of because of sometimes having their own agendas behind claiming their faith, I am saying that when the time comes to be able to say what I feel, to be able to not even think about peer pressure or that someone may not agree with me or my thoughts, that I say what I need to say. That will certainly be a moment that I will be able to feel proud and steadfast in my place as a Christian.

Until that time comes, I will need to work on me--looking in the mirror and saying those words--thinking about the life that God wants me to lead--thinking about things in a Christian sense and how to handle things--continually making steps--talking about my faith with my family and my sons--and then maybe, just maybe, I can do it.

How do you overcome the peer pressure from non-believers? Do you step up? If so, how? If you don't, why not? There's no right or wrong answer here, other than what I know I am doing in many cases--worrying about myself and my well being other than what I should be doing--worrying about God and being able to say "Hey, I believe."

No excuses. No reservations.

That will be a glorious day.