It seems like our approval and our worth go hand in hand, doesn’t it? Where does our worth come from? What makes us feel worthy? I can think of many different things that make me feel worthy. As a mom, it’s big accomplishments like remembering to feed my kids or understanding fifth grade math. Or it can be in a compliment from someone or an accomplished workout. I can also think of many things that make me feel unworthy. Facebook, Instagram, losing my patience with my kids…when I just prayed to have patience hours before. Dropping my daughter off at school in the wrong uniform. Feeling like I am not the wife God called me to be. I could go on and on. And as I talk to other women, I realize that I am not alone. Why do we, as women, yearn for the approval of others so desperately? Here’s a better question: why do we as Christian women continue to look for earthly approval instead of God’s approval? We know the truth when we really stop and recall it. As my pastor says, “Truth remembered, hearts surrendered.” The truth is that we have already been approved. We might as well talk past tense because as Christians, our approval is finished and completed in the work of Jesus Christ.
I believe that the root of feeling unworthy and the desperation to feel approved by others goes straight back to unbelief. Do we really believe that God adores us, looks on us as completely righteous and considers us His own? Because if I live my life daily, remembering that truth, why would I ever crave the approval of others on this earth? It is only His opinion that matters. It is only His truth that we need to remember. It is only for His glory that we exist. It is the face of Jesus that we will see one day and nothing else will matter! We can’t find satisfaction here on this earth because this is not our home. Our hearts yearn for the One who created us. We were made to be completely satisfied and find our fulfillment in Jesus alone. Nothing on this earth will do that.
As long as we are looking for approval in earthly relationships, Facebook posts, Instagram stories, our marriages or our children, we will be filled with anxiety because that is not why we were created. We were created to glorify and enjoy God. If there is one thing that Satan wants us to forget, it is this truth. One of Satan’s greatest tactics is doubt. Doubting God’s promises, even for a second, make us a vulnerable, anxious, and insecure mess. Just read Genesis 3. Even though Adam and Eve were literally walking and talking with God, Satan created enough doubt that it called them to question God. Then what happens? Once we begin to doubt, we feel ashamed, insecure and anxious. Satan has no new tricks, just new subjects. Satan would like us to be so distracted and busy with activities that we forget Him who called us, Who pursues us and Who loves us fiercely. Because when we truly remember and believe that we have been called and adopted by God, we find our worth, satisfaction and fulfillment.
What if we lived every single day as ones who are approved by the King? Not only approved but as children of Royalty. What would that look like? I suspect that it might translate into Christian warriors with confidence to serve others with abandonment because we are loved so deeply. This is why Jesus came in the flesh. He came to show us how much we are loved and how to love others. Life on this earth is too short to spend filled with anxiety and doubt. Let us remember His truths and promises so that we can live as we were created, with purpose and radical abandonment for Jesus Christ!
“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.” Galatians 1:10.
Bre Harper
CHM Contributor
