The Only Approval That Matters

Do you remember that feeling when you’re young, maybe 4 or 5, when the latest clothes don’t matter, being just like everybody else isn’t a priority, and the only thing you care about is running in the grass outside? I remember times where I would play for hours with my older cousins. We would play dress up and I truly didn’t care if my hair looked good.  Maybe those years are glamorized by hindsight, but I loved those years of care-free play time.  Around 9 or 10 years of age, the years of not caring were coming to an end, however. Slowly, I began to care more and more what others thought of me. By the time I was 12 or 13 there were times where it consumed me.  I wish I could say I’m completely over that, but I’m not. I still struggle all the time with my insecurities. Over the last year or two, God is starting to show me that, although I’ve searched hard for approval in others, I’m not always going to get it.   

           
             About a year and half ago, I ran across this verse:

                Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galations 1:10 (NIV)

This verse hit home for me.  As soon as I accepted this verse with an open heart, God began to  really work in my life. He showed me that if I live everyday to gain His approval, great things can happen. You can make more of a difference in this world than you thought possible with His help. Striving only for God’s approval is hard. It’s a daily struggle.  I fail at all the time, but I’m so grateful that God gives us second chances.  

It’s okay to want to improve yourself…just make sure you want to change for the right reasons. Don’t change because it’ll make you more like everybody else. God made us with differences and special gifts that He wants us to use for Him. If we constantly change ourselves in the name of trying to fit in, then we can’t give God our all.  

 Don’t let your insecurities build up in you, instead give them to God. I know, without a doubt, you won’t regret it.  Let having God's approval be what consumes you.  It's the only approval that matters. :) 

~Emily