In history we see that it was never easy for lead a true Christian life upholding its values. Hence its seems to be even more challenging for the youth today. We live in a world where most of us prefer to live in accordance to our personal desires rather than a life bound by obedience. Obedience to God's call to Holiness, the call to holiness often makes people uncomfortable. Jesus is always ready to forgive, heal, and love, yet many reject Him because His light exposes darkness within.  When you choose to live your faith sincerely, you may be faced with ridicule, exclusion, or bullying. You may be labelled as “boring,” “old-fashioned,” or “too serious.” Friends may distance themselves, and loneliness may follow. At times, you may even wonder if something is wrong with you.

But this experience is not new. Jesus Himself warned us:

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16).

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own… but because you are not of the world, the world hates you” (John 15:19).

When Christ lives within us, we reflect His light — and light often unsettles darkness.

Learning from Christ in the Desert

There is something very important every youth can reflect and learn from the temptations of Jesus in the desert. Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus lived a hidden life of obedience under His parents (Luke 2:51–52). Then, before announcing the Kingdom, He withdrew into the desert for forty days of prayer and fasting (Matthew 4:1–2).

Though fully divine, Jesus embraced our humanity completely (Philippians 2:6–8). In His humanity, He relied on prayer and communion with the Father. Significantly, temptation came not when He was distant from God, but when He committed Himself fully to God’s mission.

Jesus faced three temptations:

•   Physical desire — Jesus knew in order to succeed in his mission he needs to discipline his body first through fasting and prayer.  This is when the satan comes and confronts Jesus to convert stones into bread. He asks Jesus "why fast when you can satisfy your hunger immediately by a simple miracle and change the stones into bread. Why take the hard way when you can use your power to take care of your wants immediately." In order words satan in telling Jesus first attend to your physical urges/wants and rest can be taken care off later.  It is with the same question satan tempts us today also, "why do you want to wait for till a future time when you can enjoy and have all the fun today. Why spend all the time in academics/studies when you have all the friends to go out and enjoy and party."
•   Testing faith — demanding signs from God
•  Power and success — gaining the world through compromise

Each time, Jesus resisted firmly through the Word of God. His victory teaches us that obedience leads to true freedom.

Patience in Relationships

As we reflect on these challenges, it is important to address one more reality that many young people face today. Due to constant exposure to media and its romanticized portrayal of relationships, many teenagers begin to believe that this is the time to choose a life partner. Romance is often presented as urgent, necessary, and central to happiness.

During my time working in ministry, I received many letters from young boys and girls asking for prayers that a particular person would fall in love with them or become their boyfriend or girlfriend. These requests came from sincere hearts, yet they also revealed confusion about timing, readiness, and God’s plan.

My humble request to you, dear young friends, is this: be patient. Do not rush into decisions about relationships during your teenage years. There is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and this stage of life is meant primarily for growth, formation, and discovering God’s purpose for you. It is too early to carry the emotional and spiritual responsibilities that come with serious relationships. God knows your needs far better than you do. He desires your good even more than you desire it yourself (Jeremiah 29:11).

Trust in the truth that when the time is right, God will lead you to the person He has chosen for you. Always pray not for your own preference, but for God’s will—because His choice is always wiser and more loving than ours.

God knows every human heart completely—its depths, intentions, wounds, and hopes. People may impress us with appearances or sweet words, but God sees the truth within (1 Samuel 16:7). Therefore, place this responsibility in His hands and wait patiently for His timing. For now, focus on discovering and living out God’s plan for your life. When we seek God first, everything else falls into place in the right way and at the right time (Matthew 6:33).