Thursalonians: Stop Trying to Fit the Mold
For most of my life, I have obsessed and worried over what people thought of me. I have so desperately wanted to fit this mold of society鈥攖he mold that says you need to think or act a certain way or you will be rejected鈥攖hat blending in seemed the better alternative to sticking out.
For example, back in high school I was so afraid of speaking my mind. The only time I would talk in class would be to ask a question or make sure I got 100% participation.
Coming to college, I realized how stupid this was. I was hiding my thoughts and feelings in fear of being rejected. My voice was seldom heard and because of this, I wasn鈥檛 heard. Just because I was afraid of what people would think. How stupid!
So many times, I鈥檓 worried about what people will say or think of me, that God鈥檚 opinion comes second. And as a Christian, this is not okay. This could never be okay.
Once I argued with my mother, citing one of my favorite quotes: 鈥淏e more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is who you are and you鈥檙e reputation is what people think you are.鈥
She responded by saying, 鈥淏ut we still live in the world...鈥
What better reason to disagree? Because we live in the world, we are constantly on the battlefield. How can it ever be okay to become like everyone else when sin and brokenness engulf everything around us?
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul says:
鈥淥n the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God.鈥
This is what it all comes down to at the end of the day. Who are we actually aiming to please?
We are created to be so much more than people pleasers. If you have something to say, do not be afraid to say it. If God is calling you to do something different or unusual, don鈥檛 be caught up in what people think.
At the end of the day, God created you to be you, and absolutely nothing else. So stop trying to fit the mold.
Nina Thomas is a sophomore 果冻视频 student and blogs at .This post is part of a ten-week series where students across the country are studying and reflecting on 1 & 2 Thessalonians this summer.
