I'm a YA, and recently have found myself trying to get closer to God. I noticed I can easily be influenced by certain friendships, specially with non-christians (compared to the past).
I devoted my life to helping women, children and YA like you.
I've been through enough to know, taught classes on each aspect of this subject.
The forum is a little limited on the scope of getting into this subject adequately, so I will be direct for sake of time and the format.
Here's the short answer to your question.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
-Jesus (John 15)
Ask your self this question,
Do I want to be a friend to Jesus or to worldly friends that will doubtless negatively affect my future?
There's no middle ground.
We are to show God's grace to others and bless them with
>The Gospel < If you are not absolutely certain that you are destined for Heaven, then please take care of that need right now. There's no greater priority.
That said, hanging out with them is not a healthy option. You will be pressured to sin big time.
Away from home (abroad), it's easy to get carried away.
Yes, it is dangerous and young ladies need the protection of their daddy or their husband. That's a fact that few like to acknowledge. It's a jungle out there, even in many church groups.
But I have been feeling empty whenever I am with these friends
It feels empty because it is .
Their life centers around self and they seek "fulfillment" through the lusts of the flesh. There is no emptier life than that. The longer you hang out with them, the sooner you will experience regrets that you cannot take back. That will affect who your future spouse will be and long term trust issues, stability in marriage and raising children. The decisions that you make right now will affect your future children's well being. You don't need to pray about it. God has shown from Genesis chapter 6 to Revelation a hundred examples and warnings. He also offers blessings to friends of Jesus.
, who only talk about sex, party, and so on. Being with my church friends makes me feel more light in a way. And some non-Christian friends too, but not these ones in particular. Also, one is my roommate, so I am always in contact, until my contract ends.
I don't want to be disrespectful, and I want to be used by God. Yet, should I maintain these friendships or let them go and leave it to God without me being there? It'll hurt to let go, but it's hurting me to stay, right?
You sound like a smart lady. If you make the right decisions now, you can experience a joyful life that these worldly friends will miss out on. James 4:3-4 KJV
You also must be more than cautious with the church crowd. I had a former pastor who's son sold his prescription drugs at his Christian school. He and his church buddies would drive to other towns to take advantage of girls and have one night stands. I've counciled grown women who wasted their youth in fornication that led to live in BFs, that led to drug addictions, painful health problems, divorce, deep depression, loss of careers, and their life nearly lost. It all started in highschool with the worldly friends.
I led College and Career Ministries as a young man and honestly had a difficult time finding anyone who I thought were marriage material. By then, most YAs made their decisions and were going through drastic changes that scarred their souls, their entire personalities.
Even more recently, I wanted to go caving, so I connected with the WVU Caving Club. Once they found out that I was a Christian, I was told that I shouldn't go because everyone would be doing drugs and group sex on their outings. The only way I can do this, go caving or camping, is to get my own church group together and take them myself. Nothing will happen that will destroy the future lives of the people who are with me. I have rules and will protect each person. Parents will be invited too!
If you ever want a decent husband, you need to prepare yourself now and keep yourself pure. The immediate gratification of worldly friends will prevent that possibility. You have an extremely big advantage right now. I advise young ladies to be at home with their parents until they marry. They don't have the strength to be exposed to the predators that are everywhere, even in many fundamental churches. Liberal churches are meat markets. They even advertise hedonism
so don't even go to any that have a false gospel. Connect with a ladies group in a fundamental Bible believing church that has a preacher with the right gospel and preaches hard about destructive sins.
This will not be perfect, but a good place to start.
