Dear teenage Amanda,

Where to begin…there’s so much I want to tell you while you are still young and have the rest of your life to live.

I know how hard it can be to be a teenage girl in this day and age. There are many pressures that you face on a daily basis. Whether it be from peers, social media, tabloids, or even at home, sometimes that pressure feels overwhelming.

The first thing I would tell you: A hunger need is a dangerous need. Be careful for what you’re “hungry” for. As girls, it’s easy to want attention, to be pursued, and to be wanted. When you don’t allow Christ to satisfy this deep hunger, you’ll start searching for it in other areas. Often time girls look for it in guys. That leads to a lot of regret and heartache. And when it’s all said and done, that “hunger” will never leave you satisfied. You’ll always be left wanting more and that road leads to a very dangerous path.

Secondly: when you compare and compete you live in defeat. Amanda, don’t compare yourself to others. God made you unique and special for such a time as this. The Bible says, “that I (Christ) have come to give you life and life to the fullest.”

When you don’t know your identity in Christ, you’ll live an unsatisfied life. You will never be happy or content. There is so much freedom when you know who you are in Christ. Nothing will stop you; nothing will hold you back. Find what you are gifted in and use that to build God’s Kingdom.

Finally, when you can’t see God’s hand; trust His heart. There will be many times in life when it feels like God is a million miles away. Just know that He is for you and will never leave you or forsake you. If you choose to fight through those dark and lonely times, you’ll see God’s character shine through each time.

Amanda, 30, USA