7 Things That Make It Tough to Be a Christian Teen Today

It’s not easy being a teen these days. But what’s more difficult, I feel, is being a Christian teen in today’s world.

Scripture offers a pretty good explanation of how we should live our daily lives. But not everyone is Christian–and even some who are, don’t live it to the Word. And because of this, much of how others live their lives outside of Christ can be a distraction to Christians who strive to live according to their faith.

Here are the 7 things that make it tough

to be a Christian teen today

1. Media. Have you noticed that, whether via television, movies or music, so much of what is offered as entertainment is full of violence, promiscuity, bad language, and other types of immorality? In some cases, it’s forced on you through ads! And the media continues to push the envelope in as many ways as possible.

   
   

2. Fashion. With modesty lacking in much of today’s fashion, you have a tough time finding appropriate clothing. For girls, short skirts and dresses, plunging necklines and peek-a-boo features are all the fad these days. For guys, wearing tight pants or going shirtless has become a norm–so much so that modesty has become unique. And let’s be clear, dressing immodestly also includes dressing in a manner that puts all focus on you.

   
   

3. Peer Pressure. You love your BFF and friendships are so important, but not all your friends share your Christian beliefs, right? You want to fit in, or you don’t want to be left out, so do you ever set your Christian values aside…at least for the time you spend with them? And if you don’t, do your friends question, tease or ridicule you?

   
   

4.  Non-Christians. Do you ever feel like Christians are made to feel abnormal? There was a time when Christianity was the norm. This country was based on Christian values, after all. But somewhere along the line, Christ was pushed out and now He’s rejected. Some non-Christians question your faith, as if your beliefs are outdated or ridiculous.

   
   

5. Relationships. More preteens and teens are getting together at a much younger age, and in many of those situations, the relationships are intimate. This puts a lot of pressure on you because you feel like a third wheel, or that your friends think something is wrong with you because you’re not in a relationship. Expectations are heightened. How do you deal with that without feeling left out or lonely?

   
   

6. Society and Schools. Many schools have made it easier for young people to stray away from their Christian values because they’re so taboo! Everything outside of Christianity is promoted and celebrated. But your Father, your Creator, is shut out! You can’t even glorify Him on a tee for fear of suspension from school.

   
   

7. Social Media. It may be a fun way to communicate and share with your friends, but social media can take over your world. You can spend hours wasting your day scrolling through memes, short videos, and trends. Or maybe you’re trying to keep up with your own social media account creating your own content in an attempt to collect followers and feel relevant. Social media has also made teens and young adults more narcissistic, as they spend hours sharing video of themselves and dreaming of becoming a celebrity influencer.

   
   

It’s tough to be a Christian teen today, the pressure comes from all sides, but it’s not impossible. Remember that you can do all things through Him—but you have to want God more—and it does take a lot of internal fortitude and discernment. Ultimately, it all comes down to the people, places, and things you choose.

Remember:

In all my novels, my Christian characters are living in a world of temptation and chaos. Gabriel, Isaac, and Benedict, are thrown into real life situations that test their faith and challenge their devotion. Catholic fiction is a great way to learn how to live in the world and not be of it.

You don’t have to hide in your home to avoid the world, but you do have to remain vigilante and cautious, and you will likely have to defend your faith often. But that’s okay. Because God’s worth it. And remember too that God understands the difficultly. If you look to Him for strength, He will help you in your most difficult times. Don’t be blinded by the world. Keep your focus on Christ.

Do you find it tough being a Christian teen today? Share your story…we love to hear from you!

About the author: T.M. GAOUETTE is the award-winning author of the Faith & Kung Fu series for young adults. This series won a second-place Catholic Media Book Award in 2022 for Best New Religious Book series. The last book in the series, Loving Gabriel, also won second for Best Books for Youth (17-21). Gaouette is also the author of The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, Shadow Stalker, and For Eden’s Sake. The latter received an endorsement from Evangelist Alveda C.  King in addition to winning a first-place Catholic Press Association award in 2020 for Books for Young Adults.

Born in Africa, raised in London, England, Gaouette now lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, where she homeschools their four children.  When the goat, chicken, and horse chores are done, you’ll find her canning home-grown produce, watching k dramas with her family, trying to learn six languages at the same time, or writing fiction for teens and young adults. A former contributor for Project Inspired, Gaouette’s desire is to instill the love of God into the hearts of her readers. Find out more at www.TMGaouette.com.