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How Youth Can Turn Away from Harmful Behaviors

How Youth Can Turn Away from Harmful Behaviors

17 March, 2025

2 Min
MMoise

Guiding Youth with Compassion Youth often face numerous challenges and temptations that can lead them into harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse or other negative habits. It’s crucial for caring adults—parents, mentors, and spiritual leaders—to guide them toward positive choices.

Below are some practical steps to foster genuine change.

  1. Pray and Seek Divine Guidance Prayer can be a powerful tool for personal and communal transformation. By bringing these challenges to God, we recognize that true change is possible.
  2. Listen and Understand Before offering advice, take the time to listen. Understanding the root causes of a young person's struggles can create trust and openness to guidance.
  3. Show Compassion Instead of Judgment Criticism or condemnation can push youth away. A supportive approach—offering friendship, mentorship, and empathy—helps them feel valued and motivated to change.
  4. Highlight Their Potential They are wise: Affirm their intelligence and capability to make better decisions. They can excel: Encourage them to envision a promising future, reminding them that change is within reach. They can overcome: Emphasize that no habit is undefeatable with the right support and mindset. Others have succeeded: Share stories of people who’ve broken free from similar struggles.
  5. Provide Responsibilities and Roles Engaging young people in meaningful tasks—such as volunteering in church or community projects—instills a sense of purpose and belonging. When they’re trusted with duties, they often rise to the occasion and adopt healthier lifestyles.
  6. Build a Supportive Community Connecting youth with peers and mentors who have overcome similar challenges is invaluable. A supportive network can inspire and reinforce positive behavior.


A Note for Luxembourg’s Youth To the youth in Luxembourg, I pray you become strong, compassionate, and proactive in serving others. Honor your parents, cultivate a sense of national pride, and work for the betterment of your community. “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” — 2 Timothy 2:22 With dedication, prayer, and a strong support system, any young person can overcome harmful habits and thrive in a life of purpose and service