This is from a book called Wisdom from the Bible: Daily Thoughts from the Proverbs by Dan and Nancy Dick.
January 17
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk upright (2:7).
A teenage girl found herself continually tempted by her friends to do things she knew she shouldn't. Once she was offered drugs, occasionally she was offered alcohol, often she was approached by boys who tried to take advantage of her. Her constant reply was that she was a Christian. Usually she was made fun of for her faith. One time, however, a friend asked her why her faith made such a difference. The girl replied, "I really want to do what God asks me to. When I do what He wants, I feel better about myself. When I do wrong, I feel terrible. I'd rather feel good inside and have people make fun of me, than feel lousy and give in to temptation."
Faith like that is hard to have. It is easy to give into temptation when it constantly attacks you. But it's good to know that when we resist the temptations that God makes it all worth while. He makes us feel good about ourselves and gives us even more power to resist in the future.
prayer: Dear Father, I am faced by so many temptations. Help me to resist them. Grant that I might rely on your will and power. Be with me in every situation. Amen.
This is from a daily devotional subscription I have that mails verses from the King James version of the Bible. Emailed from subscriptions@bibleverses.com
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:12-16