“Sometimes I feel like I don’t fit in. I don’t dress or act like everybody else at my school, but I  really want to fit in! Help!” - Mark

Hey Mark,

Sometimes it’s really hard to stand out from the crowd for any reason, whether it’s because of our clothes, our actions, or something else entirely.

The reality is, we’re all different. We’re all unique individuals. Mark, there’s no one else in the world who is exactly like you.

But I know hearing that doesn’t always help. Sometimes we still want to wear the trendy clothes and blend into the crowd.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to fit in. But the problem is when you care more about blending in than being yourself. Once you lose perspective, you may end up doing all kinds of things just to fit in.

So how do you maintain your individuality without feeling like you’re standing out? Well, that’s something only you can decide. You have to draw the line. How much individuality are you willing to give up?

As Christians, we’re called not to imitate the people around us, but to imitate Christ. (Ephesians 5:1). Before you make any changes, ask yourself, “Will this hinder my imitation of Christ?” If the answer is yes, don’t do it! Believe me, it’s not worth it.

You should also talk to your parents. I know it may feel like they just don’t get it, but explain it to them. Tell them how you feel and be ready with a plan, a way to make things better.

Fitting in is something we all deal with throughout our lives. No one wants to be thought of as weird. So, like chameleons, we try to blend in.

But, we don’t really belong in this world. No matter what we do, Christians are going to stand out a little bit, which is a good thing! God wants us to be a light to those around us and you can’t be a light without drawing a little attention to yourself.

I hope that helps you, Mark. It’s tough trying to fit in without losing yourself, but it’s an incredibly useful skill to have throughout life. And if you keep a Christ-like perspective, you’ll be just fine.

~ Halee

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