This passage has been on my mind throughout the day. And I found proverbs 29:25 from the message translation helpful. "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that"
At times I find myself disabled by the opinions of others, and I don't even realize it. In a sense, I can fall into the trap of addiction to the approval of others.
Sadly when this happens, it keeps me in a state of fear and disables me to move out into what God may be calling me to do.
I am learning how to trust God. And break the chains of fear, and go after God's leading and direction. Here's the cool part, the ever time I do, I've found him being my biggest cheerleader. Such a comforting thought.
Not sure who reads these but if you are reading be encouraged. God is for you not against you! Trust him and not the opinion of man.
This idea of pleasing trying to please others versus trying to please God brings to mind the scripture verse Galatians 1:10;
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
We care about others' opinions. This is a good thing and part of how our creator designed us so that we'd be invested in each other and we'd cooperate to accomplish societal goals. He knew very few of us could survive on our own, so He bonded us through a complex set of emotions, so that we'd care what others thought. However, like anything else, it can reach an unhealthy level if we hide our true beliefs and place the approval of others ahead of the approval of Jesus.
I very much want people to like me, but I would rather have them hate me for my true beliefs than to hide those beliefs just to avoid their disapproval.
Hostility... I've received this both inside and outside the home. On one side, I went all in with Jesus then shortly after, was given great responsibilities. It reminds me of The Parable of the Bags of Gold in Matthew 25:15-30.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
â€â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€6‬-â€8‬ â€NIV‬‬
I went all in. Head first. No fears. And when I was confident in where my strength comes from, it was easy to stand firm through hostility. It's when I looked too much in the negative opinion of others, passive aggressive comments, the purposeful exclusion, that I began to question God's call on my life. I received a message from God telling me I'm exactly where He wants me. No more. No less. He's always kind and endearing referring me as "daughter" or "child". Never condemnation or guilt or shame. Love that we have a personal God
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This passage has been on my mind throughout the day. And I found proverbs 29:25 from the message translation helpful. "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that"
At times I find myself disabled by the opinions of others, and I don't even realize it. In a sense, I can fall into the trap of addiction to the approval of others.
Sadly when this happens, it keeps me in a state of fear and disables me to move out into what God may be calling me to do.
I am learning how to trust God. And break the chains of fear, and go after God's leading and direction. Here's the cool part, the ever time I do, I've found him being my biggest cheerleader. Such a comforting thought.
Not sure who reads these but if you are reading be encouraged. God is for you not against you! Trust him and not the opinion of man.
This idea of pleasing trying to please others versus trying to please God brings to mind the scripture verse Galatians 1:10;
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
We care about others' opinions. This is a good thing and part of how our creator designed us so that we'd be invested in each other and we'd cooperate to accomplish societal goals. He knew very few of us could survive on our own, so He bonded us through a complex set of emotions, so that we'd care what others thought. However, like anything else, it can reach an unhealthy level if we hide our true beliefs and place the approval of others ahead of the approval of Jesus.
I very much want people to like me, but I would rather have them hate me for my true beliefs than to hide those beliefs just to avoid their disapproval.
Hostility... I've received this both inside and outside the home. On one side, I went all in with Jesus then shortly after, was given great responsibilities. It reminds me of The Parable of the Bags of Gold in Matthew 25:15-30.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
â€â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€6‬-â€8‬ â€NIV‬‬
I went all in. Head first. No fears. And when I was confident in where my strength comes from, it was easy to stand firm through hostility. It's when I looked too much in the negative opinion of others, passive aggressive comments, the purposeful exclusion, that I began to question God's call on my life. I received a message from God telling me I'm exactly where He wants me. No more. No less. He's always kind and endearing referring me as "daughter" or "child". Never condemnation or guilt or shame. Love that we have a personal God