Pressure to Be:

Living in the shadow of greatness often creates unrealistic, unattainable expectations. 

Unrealistic- not in a sense of a merit too high to be reached- but instead, in a sense of the unique calling and skill set that God gives each and every individual. 

Many young adults and teenagers have parents who are very successful, well-respected, hard-working, and accomplished in their respective fields of work. 

This alone is not a problem.

The problem arises when the parent wants their direct legacy to live on through their children.

I know many very successful parents who have young sons and daughters struggling to find their identity and find success in life. 

For some of them, it’s the academic expectations that are simply too lofty for their children to obtain. 

For others, it’s the prestige of a position that is far out of their reach. 

In the church world, we see it all of the time when it comes to the children of Pastors; or “P.K.’s” as they are often referred to.

PK’s get a bad reputation. 

Many of them are raised under a microscope, and face a certain amount of expectations that creates a very uncomfortable childhood. 

While other people their age are allowed to go through the journey of life discovering things on their own, PK’s often inherit the moral values and life-decisions of their parents.  They are told what to do, how to act, and what to think, but they don’t have a clear grasp of why they are supposed to be that way, act that way, or think that way. 

In the secular world, we see it all of the time in situations with successful parents having standards too high for their children to reach. 

While the older generation has high standards; and even high expectations for this coming generation, a few obstacles stand in the way of our young people growing up into successful and impactful men and woman. 

1.       Laziness-

One of the greatest threats to this current generation of teenagers is laziness.  Teens aren’t being raised in homes where hard-work is a high moral value.

2.       Lack of positive role models-

Teens are coming from broken homes, going to broken schools, and hanging out with broken people.

3.       Western culture-

The values of the society that we live in are far from Godly. 

As Christians, we need to do a better job;

We need to step up and be a light in this darkness.

And for each and every person out there who feels like they can’t live up to an expectation that others have for you….

And in case you don’t hear it from anybody else, I wanted you to hear it from me. .

You are a big deal.

You can amount to huge things.

God has huge plans for your life.

You just have to believe…

Believe in the YOU that He sees.    

________________________________________________________________________

Resource: Putting a positive spin on the pressure that you feel http://www.churchleaders.com/worship/worship-articles/152909-pressure-makes-us.html