“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” 
-Titus 2:11-15 

To say no mean not to be a cool guy, old school, or being tagged a Jew guy. And because of fear of rejection, many young people are saying yes where they should say no. Humans are constantly under internal or external pressures to conform to societal norms. 

This challenge is not limited to teens or young adults as many think. It cut across both old and young. Although talks on pressure are popular in youth circles because teen and young age is a formative stage of life. External acceptance, recognition, and celebration are big deal at this stage of life. Body This acceptance disposition of young adults tends to give away their power of choice and self-assertive over to others.

 This explains why most youths kept looking at things and people around to tell them who they are. Believe me; this is no right way to go in life. A life that is driven by outward definition often leads to identity crises. This kind of crisis occurs when what people and society went you to be are not what you are wired for. This explains the great number of waste destinies we see all around. I know you don’t want to be an addition to this number.

 I don’t want you to be lost in this vast world of diverse options, beliefs systems, and ideology that is why I am speaking to you now. Pressures are not altogether bad. The question is what is the source of the pressure you are experiencing now? If the pressures are from wrong societal values, its singular objective is to leak out all the godly virtues that are inside you. Just imagine the waste orange fruit becomes when the orange juice is squeezed out.

 But if pressures are because of the demand of godly virtues, yielding to such pressures will bring the best out of you and make you a valuable person. Just imagine what the fragrance of perfume will do to a stink surrounding when the corked bottle is made open. How to ascertain whether the pressure anyone is going through is positive or negative is what is the pressure doing to your internal peace? As a Christian, I now believe that the holy bible is the final authority because it communicates the mind of God concerning every issue of life. Bible will not benefit you much if you don’t have a healthy relationship with your maker. 

Just as the scriptural reading point out. What is grace? What is salvation? What are ungodly passions? What is self-restriction? 

Some wisdom steps on how to handle external pressures: 
1. Recognize when you are pressured or been manipulated to do something contrary to your inner values. 
2. Listen to your inner voice. This voice becomes clear by letting God’s word and spirit speak to you daily. 
3. Before you take any actions, pause and imagine that God and your earthly parents are seeing you. How will they feel and what are they likely to say. 
4. Talk to a person outside your circle. 
5. Think through your actions to the end and ask yourself, is it worth it? 

Philippians 2:13, says it is God that works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. But, the responsibility of working out your salvation with fear and trebling solely rests on your shoulder. Through your decision, discipline, and choice of company you keep.