Am I the Only One?

Hello. It's been a long time since I last engaged on this site. Some of you may recognize me. Some of you may not. It doesn't really matter. Okay...so it's been ages since I last written something like this, so bare with me😊

I've been feeling quite discouraged lately. I'm 17 years old and I've been raised very sheltered ever since I was born. My parents are super strict and sometimes I feel overwhelmed because I feel I'm expected to be the "perfect Christian girl." I've been struggling with my relationship with God and things I'm having a hard time dealing with. I don't have any close friends due to my upbringing and the fact its iterally been like I was sheltered from the outside world. I haven't really gotten the chance to make friends because I don't go to any sort of public school/university/college.

It's been hard for me because I feel so lonely. And I really get frustrated with my parents about it. I want a social life so badly...is it too much to ask? Is it rebellious to want to experience what's really out there just once?

I feel like I'm the only one whose remained pure....all my cousins around my age are literally out there partying and drinking. They're not really living a godly lifestyle in a sense. Like all of them. I don't know it seems teenagers nowadays seems to have lost moral values...well, at least I see it that way. It's hard to actually find someone who shares the same Christian values and who've remained pure, you know...

So, which comes to this. I really feel like like Elijah in the Bible where he said he felt like he was the only one who hadn't bowed down to Baal. And then the Lord reminded him there are 7000 (I apologise if I got the number wrong😅) other prophets who haven't bowed to Baal.

I know I'm not perfect. And I'm not trying to be self-centered here. I just feel alone...

I've been feeling quite discouraged lately. I'm 17 years old and I've been raised very sheltered ever since I was born. My parents are super strict and sometimes I feel overwhelmed because I feel I'm expected to be the "perfect Christian girl." I've been struggling with my relationship with God and things I'm having a hard time dealing with.
It's been hard for me because I feel so lonely. And I really get frustrated with my parents about it. .is it too much to ask?
I don't know it seems teenagers nowadays seems to have lost moral values...well, at least I see it that way. It's hard to actually find someone who shares the same Christian values and who've remained pure, you know...

Hello. It's been a long time since I last engaged on this site. Some of you may recognize me. Some of you may not. It doesn't really matter. Okay...so it's been ages since I last written something like this, so bare with me😊

I've been feeling quite discouraged lately. I'm 17 years old and I've been raised very sheltered ever since I was born. My parents are super strict and sometimes I feel overwhelmed because I feel I'm expected to be the "perfect Christian girl." I've been struggling with my relationship with God and things I'm having a hard time dealing with. I don't have any close friends due to my upbringing and the fact its iterally been like I was sheltered from the outside world. I haven't really gotten the chance to make friends because I don't go to any sort of public school/university/college.

It's been hard for me because I feel so lonely. And I really get frustrated with my parents about it. I want a social life so badly...is it too much to ask? Is it rebellious to want to experience what's really out there just once?

I feel like I'm the only one whose remained pure....all my cousins around my age are literally out there partying and drinking. They're not really living a godly lifestyle in a sense. Like all of them. I don't know it seems teenagers nowadays seems to have lost moral values...well, at least I see it that way. It's hard to actually find someone who shares the same Christian values and who've remained pure, you know...

So, which comes to this. I really feel like like Elijah in the Bible where he said he felt like he was the only one who hadn't bowed down to Baal. And then the Lord reminded him there are 7000 (I apologise if I got the number wrong😅) other prophets who haven't bowed to Baal.

I know I'm not perfect. And I'm not trying to be self-centered here. I just feel alone...

I feel like I'm the only one whose remained pure....all my cousins around my age are literally out there partying and drinking. They're not really living a godly lifestyle in a sense. Like all of them. I don't know it seems teenagers nowadays seems to have lost moral values...well, at least I see it that way. It's hard to actually find someone who shares the same Christian values and who've remained pure, you know...

Just wondering are you homeschooled, or if you have any brothers or sisters. I mean just how sheltered are you. Do you have a church family or youth group to belong to? Do you live in the city or country?

I dont think its unreasonable to want to hang out with other people your own age.. have you told your parents how you feel? but maybe more imprortant, what is your relationship with Jesus like.

I mean for most people God is very far away, but you see Jesus came to earth and was human just like us and dealt with things like lonliness and being sometimes the only one. and He defintely asked for friends to hang out with not just a few but twelve of them.

Hey, just letting you know that you´re not the only teen out there that doesn´t party and drink and stuff. And not the only one who is not perfect and feeling pressure... I´m 16, and I feel like I have been in simular situations before, even though I go to a normal school. That is no guarantee to find close friends! Friends, yes of course, but you´re lucky if you find a close christian friend in school.
I know you probably feel like you miss out because I have felt the same way, but honestly: those party-people often only have very shallow relationships, they have nothing in common exept for their love of alcohol and they can´t seriously get to know each other because they get drunk. So they don´t have real close friends either even if it might look like they do.
It´s not too much to ask for a social life, maybe you can talk to your parents about that, but the kind of stuff you talked about they will probably want to protect you from. Maybe you can find a youth group or something? Friends are very important and I´m sure they think the same.
It might be hard finding someone who has the same values than you do. Pray hard for that. It took 3 or 4 years of prayer for me until I have finally been blessed with two people my age who also take their faith seriously.
Do not be discouraged, rather take it as a time of strengthening your faith and clinging to Jesus. Even if you do not feel like it. HE wants to be with you, and you are never quite alone because he is with you. Strengthen your relationship with him and take time daily to rest in his presence, meaning prayer and bible reading(seriously to kow scripture well is a gamechnger!!!). That will help in your struggles, do it even if you don´t quite feel like doing it, it seriously helps!
We will never be perfect on this earth. However, we can grow to be more like Jesus. Try to not let the pressure impact you. There is no perfect person out there! We all need the grace of God.
Sorry if this is very long, but I tried to give you advice that has helped me in situations like yours. I could go on even longer, so ask questions if you want to.

You aren't alone. I just recently came back too CC as well...and I'm glad I did. I was feeling very isolated as I was when I came here...seeking.
I longed for the freedom from control of everyone in my life. I also lost my sight of the Lord. I lived the lifestyle you describe your friends having and beyond. I sometimes wish my parents would have been more protective now that I'm an adult.
The grass always seems greener on the other side from where you're either standing or lying flat on your face.
Your parents may be strict and overprotective...but do you know they love you and do you trust them to do what's best for you?
I'm sure there are people here to talk to that are trying to struggle where you're struggling. Hang around for awhile.

Yes i know..

We are separated by being from different nations, of different genders, different ages and from your pick we are of different races.. But i know exactly how you feel.. And yeah i know deep down there are other Saints out there who feel the same way as we do.. Sometimes i get down because meeting true brothers and sisters in Christ seems to be very rare these days..

It's fortunate we are both English speakers and followers of Christ hey..

Anyway overprotective parents is a thing.. But once a youth is well grounded in the scriptures ones parents should trust in their youths to go out into the world and resist the evil temptations out there that will try and entice them away from the Love of the truth.. But a lot of parents find it hard to accept their little one is grown up and must face the world as it really is.. There comes a time when protecting people harms them..

No matter how things go with your parents i hope you keep standing resolutely on the right Way with God..

May God bless you and comfort you through your difficult times LoneGirl02

The thing is, we don't have church family. We haven't gone to church in ages. I guess my parents are trying to find the "perfect" one but there isn't really a perfect church out there, is there? So anyway, if I was in a youth group or something it would have been awesome. But where we live (in England) young people don't got to the local churches around us. They're very dry...and not as Spirit-filled, you know. The churches here attract older folks way more than of my generation. So, that's been super hard. I wish I lived in the city where there are more vibrant.

My relationship with Jesus has been strong...but lately I feel like I'm flattering due to the fact like i feel I want to be surrounded with other young people with the same passion for Jesus, you know. 😇 So....its been kinda hard....

Oh wow! I absolutely loved this! Thank you....and I appreciate you taking your time to write this. And don't apologise about it being long...I so needed this.
Finding very close friends who share the same values is like finding rare treasure. And i want that so bad. To be around teenagers who love Jesus. And I love the advice you gave.
Gosh, what you said was what I needed to hear.😊

Oh goodness. This almost made me cry. Makes me rethink what I've been saying. Yeah, it may seem hard for me being all alone but i believe it'll be worth it. So, I guess I should be appreciative my parents are strict, right?😅

I guess I know they love me.and want what's best...even though it feels really really hard on me. I suppose looking at your perspective...it does change things a little😊

Thanks so much for what you said!

Romans 8:28

Oh I love that verse!

You are a very wise young woman

You are a beautiful young woman. In a short time you will be responsible for making all of your own decisions. I have a very strong suspicion that there will be bigger struggles you will have to face when you will need your parents and appreciate their love and support.
Sister, you are in a tough period of your life we all go through.
Rebellion in any form, in any situation is USUALLY a very damaging route. It causes a ripple effect in the outcome of our lives, damages relationships, and can cause us to stray from the good things God has planned for us. In other words...trouble and pain you don't need and can avoid. It's like running a race and tripping over your feet as many times as it takes, delaying you from the finish line until you . Some parents know through experience. My oldest daughter (24) has come to this conclusion when she told me she wishes she had listened. (Some call it hindsight...a lot of time it turns out to be plain old regret. Who wants that? No one. Who needs it? God can use it though for hard headed people like me.)
Chin up.