HELP FOR THE FAMILY/YOUNG PEOPLE -Is Thrill-Seeking Woth the Risk?

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Weigh the risks.  The Bible says:  "The shrewd person acts with knowledge, but the fool exposes his own foolishness."  (Proverbs 13:16) Before you consider engaging in a certain activity, get to know the risks involved.  Ask yourself, 'Does this activity amount to little more than a gamble with death or serious injury?' -Bible principle: Proverbs 14:15. 

Choose friends who show respect for life. True friends will not encourage you to take risks or try to talk you into doing sometime you feel uncomfortable about. Larissa says:  "Good and stable friends helped me to make better choices about activities I wanted to participate in.  When my friends changed, so did my life." -Bible principle:  Proverbs 13:20.

Enjoy your skills without risking your life. Part of growing up is "learning how to establish  one's own principles and boundaries," says the book Adolescent Risk Behaviors.  You can test your limits in a safe environment, using appropriate safety equipment and precautions.

Build genuine self-respect.  People will respect you for how skillfully you master real-life challenges, not for what you dare to do for a thrill. (Note: Most people who encourage you or talk you into these risks, most likely won't do it themselves, because they are afraid, they'd rather see someone else do it.) Larissa says:  "Cliff diving was just a start of my life that was full of self-destructive behavior.  It would have been better if I had learned to say no." 

The bottom line: Rather than take needless risks by thrill-seeking, show good judgment with regard to your choice of recreation. -Bible principle: Proverbs 15:24. 

KEY SCRIPTURES 

* "The shrewd one ponders each step." -Proverbs 14:15.

* "The one walking with the wise will become wise." -Proverbs 13:20.

 * "The path of life leads upward to one with insight, to turn him away from the Grave below." -Proverbs 15:24. 

Next time: LANDS AND PEOPLES/A Visit to Kazakhstan

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