In a world of social media and constantly judging others, self-image seems to take center stage for many people. What does everyone see me as? As opposed to what you really are inside.

The world is constantly screaming "Be who you are! Don't let the world tell you that you are wrong!" Yet the very next day, that same world turns on its hind-legs and bites you in the back for not being who they want you to be. They tell you to stand up for what you believe in, but yet when you stand up for something that doesn't support them, again, you're burned and called close-minded and inconsiderate.

The world preaches individuality, yet you get crucified for not agreeing with everyone else in the room. If I tell you that I don't support homosexuality, gay marriage, or becoming transgendered, I bet half of you will get pissed off and already start getting angry at me. "How can someone be so close-minded and stupid!? You're a homophobe!". You see, you were agreeing with me until I brought up an actual issue that we disagree on.

Do you see what I mean? We are constantly trying to force our ideals on others, and we get angry and frustrated with those who don't follow our own personal attitude, even though we all support the idea that no one should have to conform to anyone else's view. But what the world really means is, "Let's all be the same individuals together, no one rock the boat!"

Now, I believe what I believe because I stand very strongly in my Christian beliefs and faith. THAT is what I use to define me. My faith is what makes me who I am. Without it, I would constantly be changing from day to day and who knows what I would be.

When you go out into the real world, whether that's entering college, graduating from college, or going to your normal everyday job, it's important that you know what it is that defines you. What you let influence you personally. WHO YOU ARE.

This is important to know because the world around you will try to influence you and conform you to their way of thinking. If you don't know what you set your standards by, then it becomes scarily easy to lose yourself, lose your principles, and lose your own character.

However, I'm not telling you to beat people over-the-head with your personal convictions. Like, if someone asks me why I don't support homosexuality, I know immediately why. Because I'm a Christian, and therefore believe that the Bible is the Word of God and in Romans 1:25-27 it names homosexuality as a sin.

And because I let my faith define me, then that's what I believe. I won't sugar coat my beliefs just so that everyone else feels more comfortable. Never do that. But at the same time, I'm not going to start yelling and screaming at people because they don't support what I do.

But I know why I support the things I do, and why I don't support the things I do not. That's the key.

I don't wear bikinis because I feel like it goes against my level of modesty. I don't have sex before marriage because it's unbiblical. I don't own an iPhone because....well, I actually have no idea why, so I really don't care if that were to change.

But anyways, to you, I probably just described a prude, but to me, I just described someone who has a strong character that doesn't let herself slip just because everyone else thinks differently. And I won't let the world guilt me into doing something I don't want to, just because what I do is "uncool."

Never feel insecure about your faith. As a Christian, I am often portrayed as a stick-in-the-mud, and sometimes feel guilty because I don't act like many other people I know. The world and its standards will always be changing, but God never does. Never put your worth in how the world views you, but rather how much God loves you and how you try to strive to be like Him.

Now, being strong in your ideals isn't the same as abusing those who don't agree with you. It is important, though, in this day in age, that you do not let your beliefs be restrained and muted just because others don't agree with you. There's a balance. Life isn't always black and white, and sometimes it is. Those are the things you need to know for yourself before you go out into the world.

So find something strong to hang on to, *cough* God *cough* *cough*, and stay true to who you are.