There is more and more pressure piling up among the young people to live beyond their means. Young people are craving for lives that the elderly generation has worked for years to attain. There is a lot of competition for the latest fashion; latest phone; living in a high-class area with expensive housing facilities; driving a right car and so on. The pressure comes from different quotas that include: growing fame of an individual, pressure from friends, pride to show that you are making it big, parents, demands from a potential life partner etc.
CONSEQUENCES OF LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS
The result of this to youths is stress, depression, desperation, and eventually suicidal attempts when one realizes they cannot cope up with the pressures of life. As God began to use me in various congregations, there was high expectations and demands from the people I met. I was not earning any income by then. I fought very hard to contain the pressure and even tried to hide from frequent public appearances. I am counselling many young people whose struggles is to keep up with the current demand for living up to the community’s expectation.
DOES YOUR PRIVATE LIFE MATCH YOUR PUBLIC ONE
Majority of these young people are living two lives, a public life that creates a false impression of who they are and a private life full of tears and pain inside. You want to fake it until you make it which eventually breaks you before making it. Living a lavish lifestyle has been seen as an end by itself. Having the latest of everything is the goal of many young people. The Bible contains much wisdom on how we ought to live. We either allow the scriptures to shape our thinking regarding what we have, who we are, and who we are capable of becoming or else the world influences our lives. Paul says that he knows what it is to be in need and what it means to have plenty. He has learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation. Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
CONTENTMENT IN SCRIPTURE
Regardless of his status, he can do all things through Christ who strengthens his life (Philippians 4:12-13). He then writes to his mentee Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain since we came with nothing in the world, and we shall take nothing out of it (1Timothy 6:6-7). Our saviour advises that we watch out! And be on guard against all kinds of greed since life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). Where you are currently in finances today doesn’t mean you are doomed to be that way until death. Just because you cannot afford an expensive lifestyle; shouldn’t result in stress and depression. There are a time and season for everything under the heavens.
WHAT DEFINES YOU?
Defining yourself with what you have or don’t have today is belittling yourself. God valued you with his own life and hence lowering yourself to silver and gold is an insult to God. He created you in His image and likeness. Your value ought to be derived in God and not material things that develop wings and fly away. Accepting your current state is a big blessing as you work to better your future. People are finding it hard to adjust to the low status once their finances cannot accommodate the lifestyle they were used to living. It isn’t easy to move on without accepting your current situation.
CONCLUSION
Acceptance is the first step to healing and making progress in life. Generally, from since we were young, experience has taught us there is always ups and downs. We have been through difficult times and risen only to go down again. It doesn’t have to be financed, but even health-wise yet we always grow. Don’t let your current struggles keep you on the ground; Accept, adjust and reposition yourself to rise again.
