Society today prides itself on being inclusive, open minded and treating people with equality. Discrimination or persecution is frowned upon and for the most part actively discouraged.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, but if I had to guess, I’d bet that there’s been times that every person who reads this, has felt like they don’t quite fit in. Times where we have felt like we aren’t quite good enough and maybe really uncomfortable and like we’ve disappointed in some way.

While our society is actively working at preventing and getting rid of the more blatant types of discrimination, there continue to be ongoing ‘expectations’. These pervade virtually every area of life and impact on every person regardless of age, sex or lifestyle preferences.

Why is it that many single people feel uncomfortable to go to events on their own? Why is it that those who opt for casual employment and rented accommodation are thought of as ‘less stable’ in some way and couples without children (for who knows what reason) perhaps seen as a little self-centered?

Society still places a great deal of pressure on all people who live within it. A subtle pressure that there is a standard that must be reached, a ‘norm’ that needs to be achieved and sustained if one is to be accepted as a valued member.

This can result in anything from great reinforcement and feeling happy and content, to that feeling of not quite fitting in, all the way through to extreme cases, where the discomfort and the desire to fit in is so great but unable to be achieved, it leads to self harm and even suicide.

Here are a couple of passages from the Bible that have some good advice for us:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  (Romans 12:2, NLT)

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30, NCV)

Feeling tired and weighed down by the expectations of society? If this sounds like you, search your Bible, or contact us to find out more.