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Are you ‘seeking’ the approval (favorable opinion) of those around you? Do you find yourself consumed thinking about …what others are “thinking about you”? Do you find yourself doing or saying things ‘just to fit in’? If this sounds like ‘you’….… you are not alone! |
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Many people, especially teenagers are longing for the approval of others. They are seeking approval of parents, friends, teachers, pastors, coaches; the list goes on and on. It is this constant ‘seeking’ of approval that drives most teens to believe they can never earn the approval of others; no matter how hard they try. WHY is this so, you may be asking?
Great question! The answer can be found in what lies under the need for approval. Often time’s teens rely on the opinions of others to make them happy or to feel good about themselves, or simply to feel ‘loved’. If you would honestly say…”Yes, this is me”… I have good news to share with you today! Your inner need to feel happy, to be loved and appreciated, or recognized, will never be met in looking to other people. How can that be good news you might ask? God wants you to ‘seek’ after His approval. Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. (Luke 10:27) And guess what? God already loves you, He desires a relationship with you, and He already knows you are wonderful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalms 139:14). People, no matter how wonderful they are will always fall short of loving you the way you want to be loved! God will never fall short of loving you. When you seek after God, you will be fulfilled in the innermost parts of yourself. You will feel loved, and appreciated. God’s love is unconditional and it is available to you today. God is Love. (1John4:8) Just open your heart to God, tell Him how lonely, hurt, disappointed, or unhappy, you may be, and allow Him to come into your heart and fill all those areas that seem empty right now. When you ‘seek’ after God first, and accept His unconditional love for you. The approval of others will no longer be your focus. You do not have to be perfect to have God’s approval, He loves you just as you are, and He has a plan and purpose for your life, (Matt 6:33). Does this mean you will never desire the approval of others? No, it is natural to desire that, however, what will happen is that you will not allow the opinions of others to determine how you feel about yourself! When you begin to concern yourself with God’s opinion about you, rather than the opinions of others, you will truly find the contentment you are ‘seeking’ after. |
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