Lent Day 19, Sunday, March 8, 2026

“Overcome Peer Pressure”

Today’s Lenten challenge may feel a little unusual. It is not necessarily something we complete in a single moment today. Instead, it is something we begin to notice and work on throughout the coming week.

The challenge is to overcome peer pressure.

Peer pressure is the influence others have on our choices and behavior. This is not about listening to advice or learning from others. Rather, it is about making decisions based on how we think others will perceive us.

Consider this for a moment. Do you act differently around certain people than you do in other settings? Have you ever said something you did not fully believe just to fit in? Have you stretched the truth, repeated gossip, or made a hurtful remark simply to gain approval or attention?

Peer pressure itself is not the action. It is the pressure that can lead us toward actions we later regret.  It can cause us to say things we should not say. It can push us to exaggerate, criticize, or behave in ways that do not reflect who we truly want to be.

That is why this challenge matters. Lent invites us to reflect honestly on our choices and motivations. When we become aware of the influences around us, we are better prepared to choose faithfulness instead of approval.

Overcoming peer pressure does not mean isolating ourselves from others. It means standing firm in our values even when the crowd pulls in a different direction.  So today, begin paying attention. Notice the moments when you feel the urge to impress rather than to be truthful or kind.

Pray for strength.  Ask God to guide your words and actions.  Choose faith over approval.  Act with integrity rather than trying to impress the crowd.

Give it to God and walk forward with confidence.

“Am I now seeking human approval or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  (Galatians 1:10, NRSVue)