What does it mean to live from God’s approval? I’m grappling with the idea of centering my life around God’s validation, rather than the fleeting and often conditional approval of people around me – family, friends, colleagues, even strangers online. But even more subtly, I struggle with seeking my own approval – constantly trying to meet some self-imposed standard of perfection or achievement to feel worthy. How does "living from God’s approval" practically differ from both of these scenarios? What does it look like in day-to-day life, affecting choices about career, relationships, personal habits, and even self-perception? And how can I cultivate that mindset in a healthy way, avoiding the potential pitfalls of religious legalism or a distorted understanding of God’s grace? What are the specific characteristics and actions that embody this life of living from God’s approval?
Answer
Living from God’s approval signifies orienting your life around the belief that God’s acceptance, love, and validation are the ultimate source of worth and identity. It’s a fundamental shift in focus from external sources of affirmation (other people, societal standards) or internal measures of self-worth (personal achievements, self-perception) to a relationship with God as the primary determinant of your value. This involves the following:
1. Rooted Identity: Your sense of self is grounded in the conviction that you are a beloved child of God, created in His image, and redeemed through Jesus Christ. This transcends performance-based acceptance and is based on God’s inherent love and grace, irrespective of your successes or failures. It’s about believing you are worthy because God says you are, not because of what you do.
2. Motivation Based on Love: Actions are driven by a desire to please God and express gratitude for His love, rather than seeking praise or recognition from others or trying to meet self-imposed standards of perfection. It’s about acting out of love for God and neighbor, mirroring His character in your thoughts, words, and deeds.
3. Freedom from People-Pleasing: The need to constantly seek validation from others diminishes. While valuing healthy relationships and considering others’ perspectives remains important, the fear of disapproval or rejection loses its power. You are less likely to compromise your values or act against your conscience to gain acceptance.
4. Inner Peace and Security: Knowing that God’s love is unconditional provides a profound sense of security and peace. This internal stability is not dependent on external circumstances or the fluctuating opinions of others. It creates resilience in the face of adversity and allows you to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and trust in God’s plan.
5. Humility: Recognizing that your worth is a gift from God fosters humility. It acknowledges that your talents, abilities, and successes are not solely your own achievement but are blessings entrusted to you. This encourages a spirit of gratitude and service, recognizing that your purpose is to use your gifts for God’s glory and the benefit of others.
6. Discernment of God’s Will: A deep relationship with God, cultivated through prayer, scripture study, and reflection, becomes essential for discerning His will for your life. You seek His guidance in making decisions, aligning your choices with His principles, and living in accordance with His purposes. This often involves surrendering your own desires and trusting in His wisdom, even when it doesn’t align with your own understanding.
7. Forgiveness and Grace: Recognizing that you will inevitably fall short of God’s standards, living from His approval embraces the need for forgiveness and grace. It acknowledges your imperfections and shortcomings, but trusts in God’s mercy and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This allows you to extend grace to yourself and others, fostering compassion and understanding.
8. Focus on Eternal Perspective: The emphasis shifts from temporary, earthly concerns to eternal values. You are less concerned with accumulating wealth, achieving status, or seeking worldly pleasures, and more focused on cultivating a relationship with God, serving others, and leaving a lasting impact for His kingdom.
9. Authentic Living: Living from God’s approval encourages authenticity. You are free to be yourself, without pretense or the need to conform to societal expectations. You are empowered to live in accordance with your God-given identity and purpose, expressing your unique gifts and talents in a way that honors Him.
10. Transformation of Values: The values that drive your life are transformed. Instead of prioritizing personal gain, success, or pleasure, you prioritize love, compassion, justice, truth, and holiness. You are motivated to make a positive difference in the world, addressing injustice, alleviating suffering, and sharing the love of God with others.
In essence, living from God’s approval is a paradigm shift that reorients your entire life around a relationship with God, transforming your identity, motivations, and values. It is a continuous process of seeking His face, trusting in His love, and aligning your life with His will.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you, humbled and seeking clarity. I find myself entangled in the web of approval, constantly gauging my worth based on the fleeting opinions of others, or even the harsh judgment I place upon myself. This pursuit leaves me weary, Father, like chasing after wind.
What does it truly mean, Lord, to live from YOUR approval? What does it mean to find my anchor in your unwavering love, rather than the shifting sands of human acceptance?
Teach me to see myself through your eyes, Father, to recognize the inherent worth you placed within me at my creation. Help me to understand that your love is not earned, but freely given, a constant source of grace and strength.
Release me from the shackles of needing to please everyone. Untangle me from the voices of self-doubt that whisper I am not enough. Fill the void in my heart, the yearning for validation, with the knowledge that YOU, my Creator, my Savior, my King, approve of me simply because I am yours.
Show me, day by day, how to let your voice be the loudest, the most influential voice in my life. Help me to trust that your plan for me is good, and that even in moments of imperfection, your love remains steadfast.
Grant me the courage to live authentically, to pursue the passions you have placed in my heart, without fear of criticism or failure. May my actions be driven by a desire to honor you, rather than to gain the approval of the world.
In the quiet of my heart, I choose to rest in your approval, Lord. I choose to believe in your love for me. Help me to live a life that reflects that truth, a life lived in freedom and joy, secure in the knowledge that I am loved, valued, and accepted by the only One whose opinion truly matters.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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