Phil Sena

It was the evening of February 13, 2011, and fans of teen sensation Justin Bieber were shocked.  At the 2011 "Grammy Awards"—the annual honors given to artists by the American National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences—many had expected Bieber to receive the "Grammy" award for "Best New Artist." Instead, however, the award went to singer and jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding.

Most peer pressure bombards its victims with messages telling them that they are inadequate and their life is incomplete, unless they go along with the crowd—even though the crowd does not often have the individual's best interest at heart. To resist these strong messages is not easy. To reject them puts a young person at risk of losing acceptance by his or her friends.

Some may dismiss bullying as "a normal part of growing up" that helps kids negotiate the complexities of social interactions. However, while good-natured teasing is a part of many healthy relationships, bullying is far different and more serious.

Even before young people reach sexual maturity, they are bombarded with images that equate "attractiveness" with "looking hot"—with sexual appeal and seductiveness.

The God of the Bible showed that humans need others when He observed about Adam, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18). This simple statement speaks to our basic need to form relationships, without which we will become lonely.