While going through high school, most youth hate to be rejected. We all want love and friendship, so I understand how stressful this can be. Fear of rejection is the main reason why many youth get themselves into big trouble. They are just normal kids trying to be something they are not.

The world has its own criteria for what it considers "cool". You must be good looking and dress in the latest fashions. While style and appearance is important to you now, in a few years you will discover that these things really are no big deal at all. As you grow older, you will find that honesty, kindness and integrity are the most important things.

I can remember two young ladies I went school with. One’s name was Sandra and the other was Rachel. Neither was extremely attractive or dressed that well. They were quiet girls who studied hard and made good grades. I never saw them at football games or many of the school events. Today they are both college graduates with high paying professional careers. But all of the stars athletes and cheerleaders are alcoholics, crack addicts and struggling single parents. The unpopular kids made far more out of their lives than the popular kids. In that context, being unpopular may be good.

If you want to get ahead, don’t make a big deal out of the externals and forget about the internals. Start focusing your energy on developing the inward virtues that build strong character. Strive to be positive, kind and compassionate. It all starts when you give your life to Jesus Christ. As you study His Word and obey what it says, you will grow in favor with God and man. Then you will discover the excitement of having the things that really matter growing in you.

By: Edmund Brown