WHOSE APPROVAL DO YOU SEEK?
Do you change what you say and how you feel depending on who you are talking to? Are you concerned about how your words are received rather than if they are true? Do you hesitate to speak the truth in love because it may affect how that person views you?
When we try to find our worth and uniqueness in what others think of us, we tend to identify with sports stars, Hollywood celebrities, successful business people, and media elites. We constantly live under the illusion of, if only I did this, knew so-and-so, became like this person, then I would be approved and be happy. However, the only true source of satisfaction, wholeness, and fulfillment is Jesus Christ.
We need to reject the approval addiction from people because pleasing people is the number one obstacle to pleasing God. Proverbs 29:25 (NIRV) says, “If you are afraid of people, it will trap you. But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe.” Insecurity is the result of placing our confidence and trust in people or things that can be taken away from us, rather than in God who will never leave or forsake us.
As a member of God's family, my need for unconditional love is fully met through God’s limitless love. Paul states in Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)), “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As a part of Christ's body, my need for significance is fully met through my identification with Christ as my Head and as a fellow heir with Christ. “It is by his (God the Father’s) great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (I Peter 1:3-4, NLT)
As a temple of the Holy Spirit, my need for lasting competence and fulfillment is fully met through His bestowing of spiritual gifts and through His empowerment to accomplish God’s purposes for me. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:16, “that He (our Father) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.”
When we understand our identity in Christ and appropriate His resources, we can become secure enough to serve others, to love others, to forgive others, and to share with others without fear of their response or lack thereof.
