How should I fight?

[zadaqom]

Hi to everyone!. I'm not often visiting here, and I'm not sure where to really put this topic of mine.But anyway, I'll start.
I'm a highschool student,teenager. And I have known some of the laws of God, I feel, I know him now,better than before.
My problem is on everyday. That in the morning, I often tell to myself that I would make my day perfect: do good things and avoid doing bad things. But when I am in our school, I meet people, which I think disturbing my right senses. They're noisy, often wild in their actions. They made bad things and laughed at it. Cheating is very open, even the teacher knows their intention, they still continue it,like joking on what they are doing. And our teachers are not fully respected. They treat them as ordinary or fellow students. And what's more, I'm the class president, and when we have some things that we should supposedly do together, most of them are not cooperating-- they're busy doing their stuffs, I could not control them. It's hard for me to lead over them(unruly). Actually, I think to myself as better off as just servant than a leader. But they pushed me on this kind of position.
Now, I am just trying to become of what is needed in this position, but, I'm still lacking in ability, I felt. I feel that they,students and teachers,are labeling me as irresponsible or incompetent.
I'm with them,almost three years. Now, I feel, I'm changing. I now often talk or joke with them. Actually, I just want to pull off some good humored jokes to them, but sometimes, I overdo it. By talking to them, I could not anymore hear what I'm saying, I feel I'm becoming wild as them. I was not able to keep the calmness that I have on the morning, before I start the day.

Now, I want to just behave like a man, but it's hard, I'm with them often times. How could I keep the calmness or seriousness that I only have some time during vacation,or weekends, times when I don't go to school?
There are many holes, or angles on what I have written, my apology for its being unorganized. But if you understood, and has advices for me, I would really appreciate it. How could I be a righteous man even with this kind of people and situation?

 

[Nick]

zadaqom,

Sorry it has taken me long to respond to this. I would first off say that any other teen members feel free (please do!) to contribute to this thread and give advice, share experiences.

Anyway, it sounds like you're struggling to be a good Chrisitian model. Is the school generally Christian or isn't there many Christians there at all? What's the general attitude of the students and teachers towards religion, and Christianity more specifically?

I often struggled to be the salt of the earth for Christ when I was at school, and not until the last year did I feel more comfortable with standing out as a Christian. It's all about true confidence in Christ, and absolute trust, and Peace in Him.

The best thing to do is to keep praying and reading your Bible regularly. I have always found that the times when I've grown the most as a Christian has been when I'm reading my Bible lots and in continued conversation with our Lord.

For the peace of mind I would try reading the Psalms. For some good wisdom, try Proverbs I am also going to recommend a book God Is Enough by Ray Galea, if it is avaliable in your area.

I hope you respond and we can work through this in more detail.

 

[zadaqom]

zadaqom,

Sorry it has taken me long to respond to this. I would first off say that any other teen members feel free (please do!) to contribute to this thread and give advice, share experiences.

Anyway, it sounds like you're struggling to be a good Chrisitian model. Is the school generally Christian or isn't there many Christians there at all? What's the general attitude of the students and teachers towards religion, and Christianity more specifically?

I often struggled to be the salt of the earth for Christ when I was at school, and not until the last year did I feel more comfortable with standing out as a Christian. It's all about true confidence in Christ, and absolute trust, and Peace in Him.

The best thing to do is to keep praying and reading your Bible regularly. I have always found that the times when I've grown the most as a Christian has been when I'm reading my Bible lots and in continued conversation with our Lord.

For the peace of mind I would try reading the Psalms. For some good wisdom, try Proverbs I am also going to recommend a book God Is Enough by Ray Galea, if it is avaliable in your area.

I hope you respond and we can work through this in more detail.

I do not know if you would be able to reply on this because it takes a very long time that I responded on your message. Anyway,just having hope(there might be a chance).

The school where I am is specifically owned by a particular denomination/Christian sect. As I know more about faith as He able me, as I read the Bible, as I think and observe, I feel as renewing myself, and kind (want) of departing in this kind of denomination in terms of belief. There is just something in there practices/doctrines which I do not agree and accept now, but not the whole only some kind of particular. I was kind of enlightened.

If you were ask what's there general attitude towards religion, I would say that like a person that knows God in mind but not in heart. I think, we all experienced this state, most likely when we are still a child. Or I think, just like when we still doesn't know Him as a true, existing, and mighty God [compared to our state when we know and we truly worship Him].

Anyway, thanks for the concern. My mistake that I was not active on this thread. [ We do not have our own internet at our house]. But anyway thank you. My apology too.

 

[Nick]

I do not know if you would be able to reply on this because it takes a very long time that I responded on your message. Anyway,just having hope(there might be a chance).

The school where I am is specifically owned by a particular denomination/Christian sect. As I know more about faith as He able me, as I read the Bible, as I think and observe, I feel as renewing myself, and kind (want) of departing in this kind of denomination in terms of belief. There is just something in there practices/doctrines which I do not agree and accept now, but not the whole only some kind of particular. I was kind of enlightened.

If you were ask what's there general attitude towards religion, I would say that like a person that knows God in mind but not in heart. I think, we all experienced this state, most likely when we are still a child. Or I think, just like when we still doesn't know Him as a true, existing, and mighty God [compared to our state when we know and we truly worship Him].

Anyway, thanks for the concern. My mistake that I was not active on this thread. [ We do not have our own internet at our house]. But anyway thank you. My apology too.

First off, I'm so sorry that it's been about a month since you replied and I haven't said anything. I have been on an overseas trip, and have only just come back. But I'm replying now.

I would be interested to know what the denomination of the school is, but if you don't wish to disclose it, that is fine.

I know what you mean about their attitudes of Christianity being in mind but not of heart. It seems more for appearence sake than for Christian support and outreach to me. There are some schools in my city that are like that. It's a shame, because there are also some excellent Christian schools near where I live, and they can truly be great things if the staff of the school make some effort - some genuine effort.

Your issue seems to be that you don't agree with what the school preaches. From what you described, it is affecting your good intentions, and changing you into someone that you don't want to be. In this case, I would consider changing to a better Christian school, if that is possible. It may not be, but I guess that's the ideal. Some of us are stronger in a hostile or unhelpful envrionment than others are. As you said, you imagine yourself more as a servant than a leader.

You said that you wake up in the morning and have great intentions for the day. I think getting a daily devotional book and reading it each morning would really help. Of course reading the Bible as much as possible is the most effective way to let God transform you and sustain you. The more you read, the more knowledge you have, and the more desire you have to live with the fruits of the spirit and for God to Work in you. Pray about this often.

I've often found that the times I read my Bible more regularly were the times that I felt myself growing more as a Christian. I've seen this with my friends as well. They change and mature in Christ, and you ask them how, and they say that they read their Bible more, and had more quiet times with God.

I don't think it's right for you to be pushed into a position of leadership when you don't want to be, and are not suited to the role. I'm not exactly a leader type as well, and I would prefer to work in the background rather than leading people. I feel myself changing at the moment, but still I am not a very outgoing person. So I understand, and I would not let them put you in a position of leadership if you don't think you're suited.

Having said that, make the most of every opportunity and make the most of the situation. You're in this leadership position - let Christ flow through you while people are looking to you for guidance. Pray that God will change you to be more like Christ, that you may show off His Glory.

Typing this reminded me of Paul's 2 letters to the Thessalonians, of how they were getting persecuted and they were only new Christians, but they held on firmly and Paul is greatly encouraged. I think that would be a great read for you, if you started reading and perhaps doing a study on 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Hope that was a bit of a help.

 

[zadaqom]

Thank you Nick. My heart appreciates it.