Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

As a teenager, it can be really easy to get discouraged by the things you see going on in the world. You might see others being treated unfairly and wonder why is this happening. There might even be times when you feel hopeless.

It’s true, there are lots of things that are not right in the world.

However, instead of getting discouraged, consider asking God how you can be part of the solution.

Ask God to show you how you can be an example to others. Ask God for an idea of how you can begin producing the change you want to see in the world.

God has called you to do something great for Him. So don’t be afraid. Ask God for His wisdom and step out and do what He is calling you to do.

Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. – James 1:8 (NLT)

I remember a time when I wanted to make my teacher happy, but also wanted to make my friends happy too. I decided to write some bad things about one of the other students on a paper.

Of course, the teacher found the paper, and realized that I had written it. I got in trouble for doing it. And while I made my friends happy and had them laughing about what I had written, my teacher was disappointed in me.

I realized that I couldn’t successfully please two groups of people. I couldn’t make both my teacher and my friends happy at the same time.

That’s a lot like what today’s verse talks about. It shows us that we can’t live our lives and successfully make God and the world happy. It just won’t happen. We can’t live for two things at the same time.

Trying to do that will make you unstable and unhappy in the long run. So instead of trying to live for two different things, choose instead what you’re going to live for. Will you live for God? Or the things of the world?

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:4 (NIV)

If we’re honest, we probably try to do whatever we can to avoid trials. They aren’t fun, and we’d never go through them if we had the choice.

As bad as trials sometimes seem, they can often be for our good. It’s often during uncertainty and difficulty that we really learn to fully trust in God.

Our world has been faced with difficulty lately. The pandemic has made us all unsure and searching for answers. The good news is that these difficulties we face can help us develop character, good attitudes, and draw us closer to God.

So if you’ve been upset lately because of the things you see going on in the world around you, take comfort. God loves you, He cares for you, and if you’ll get close to Him in these times, He will help you grow.

So today, choose to get close to God. Let Him develop character, good attitude and patience in you.

If you’d like to learn more about patience in difficulty, we’ve got a great 5-day PDF devotion for you to download. It will help you grow in patience during these times.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. – James 1:3 (NLT)

You’ve probably already noticed, how it’s easy to have a good attitude when everything is going well. The real challenge is having a good attitude when things are tough.

Today’s Bible verse shows us something really interesting about trials. It says that when your faith is tested, you are provided with an opportunity to grow.

Today’s Truth: You grow the most in the test.

So when you’re faced with a difficult situation, you can know that it is a time when you can grow in your faith. You can use the difficulty to learn and grow closer to God. As you do, you’ll find that it’s easier to keep a good attitude.

So if you’re facing something really tough right now, lean into God. Let this time be a time to strengthen your faith. And come through the trial having grown stronger in your relationship with God.

Want to grow in your relationship with God? Go deeper with our 5-day PDF devotional, titled “Every Teenager’s Guide to Growing in God“. It will help you develop better habits and help you get to know God better.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 (NIV)

We’re talking about attitude this week. Yesterday, we talked about how your attitude is really shown when you’re in the middle of a storm. Today, we’re going to look at how your perspective can change your attitude.

Growing up, my family didn’t always have a lot of money. I always felt embarrassed about not having the latest clothes. However, one day, a kid at my school’s house burnt down. The kid lost everything. All his clothes, shoes, pictures…everything. I watched him show up after the fire in clothes that were too small and mismatched. I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for.

Even though I didn’t have the newest and best, I had clothes that fit and match. That day, my perspective changed, and I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for.

The same is really true for all of us. It’s easy to have a bad attitude and think we’re missing out. However, we are probably more blessed than we realize.

When we get focused and get God’s perspective on our situation, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for.

So today, if you’ve had a bad attitude about something in your life, ask God to help you get the right perspective. Like today’s verse says, ask Him for wisdom. He will show you how He sees it. When you do, it will often help you be happier about the things you’re facing.

Getting God’s perspective helps you maintain a good attitude.

Pray: God, I thank you for how good you are. I come to you today and ask for your help. Help me get your perspective on the things I’m facing right now. I ask you to help me maintain a good attitude even when things don’t look good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, – James 1:2 (NIV)

This week, we’re going to focus on our attitudes and character. We’ve probably all heard lots of motivational quotes about attitude. Your coaches probably have told you time and time again that attitude makes a difference. Maybe you’ve even had teachers encouraging you to have a good attitude.

The thing about attitude is that it’s so easy to have a good one when everything is going well. If you’ve just done well on a test at school, it’s easy to feel good and have a good attitude.

However, how is your attitude when things aren’t going well? When you didn’t get asked to a friend’s birthday party when everyone else did. How is your attitude then?

The storms of life reveal your true attitude.

So today, take a good look at yourself. How do you respond when things aren’t going well in your life? Do you need to make any adjustments to your attitude?

If so, ask God to help you. He will give you wisdom and help you get the right perspective on what you’re going through. With God’s help, you’ll find that you can have a good attitude even in the middle of a storm.

Pray: God I thank you for your help. I ask you to give me your perspective on what I'm going through right now. Help me to find peace in you, even if I'm going through a tough season right now. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

It’s easy to wonder if God has forgotten you. Sometimes it can feel like the things you’re praying for are taking WAY too long to come to pass.

The truth is, God always supplies. He always provides, but sometimes, it feels like its taking longer than we expected. It’s hard to be patient in those seasons.

Regardless of what you’re facing or how bad it looks, God always provides for you. His provision might not be as fast as you’d like it, but it’s always on time.

So today, determine to trust God. He’s not going to leave you alone and without help. He always provides for His children.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 (NIV)

Life can sure be tough sometimes. And it can feel like you’re not sure how to move on or what to do.

The truth is that whatever you need, God has your answer.

God is the wisdom you need if you lack wisdom. If you need friends, God will help provide you friends. If you need encouragement because you’ve been discouraged lately, God will provide that for you too.

God is what you need.

So today, spend some time in God’s word. Talk to God. Ask Him to help you and show you how to deal with what you’re facing.

God wants to walk life with you. He wants to help you each step of the way. So take time all throughout your day to listen to Him. Be open to hearing what He has to say. God will encourage you and give you wisdom and help regardless of what you’re facing.

Pray: God, I thank you that you’re here to walk with me through the things I face. I ask for your help each and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Neh 8:10 (KJV)

With everything going on right now with the pandemic, you might feel a little unsettled. You probably are upset that your year didn’t turn out the way you had hoped it would.

It’s easy to let circumstances determine your happiness and your outcome in life. However, when you do that, it’s easy to get very unhappy quickly. Circumstances can change fast, and if you base your happiness only on them, you can find yourself disappointed and upset quickly.

Don’t let your circumstances determine your outcome.

The key is to place your happiness and your outcome in Jesus. He’s the one that will see you through. That way regardless of whether things around you are going the way you want them to or not, you can be content.

Today, if you’ve allowed your circumstances to determine your outcome, choose to adjust your focus. Choose to look at Jesus, and let your relationship with Him bring you joy, not the circumstances around you.

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. – 2 Cor 9:8 (NLT)

Right now, it might feel like there’s a lot of lack around you. Maybe you run into the stores and see that there’s not a lot of meat. Perhaps you’re concerned that your parents might not have enough money because they’re not working as much as they usually do.

It’s easy to wonder if you’re going to make it when things get tough.

Here’s the good news. God loves you. He has always provided for His children in the middle of difficult circumstances. From providing manna in the wilderness to food from birds, God always provides for His children.

So take comfort today. God’s provision is good. It will be there for you when you need it. You don’t have to be afraid, God will take care of you!