Day #40: Friday, February 12th

Audience of One

Scripture References: Prov. 29:25, Gal. 1:10, 2 Cor. 10:8

Devotional

It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.” (Prov. 29:25 TEV)

I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant." (Gal. 1:10 NLT)

There is nothing wrong with our desire to be accepted, appreciated, and approved by other people.  Without the affirmation of others we never fully blossom into our full potential.  We can only become what God created us to be with the help of others.  But as wonderful as it is, approval can be misused, abused, and confused.  Don’t let the desire to please consume all your time, energy, and happiness.  People-pleasing is the flip side of envy.  Envy says, “I must be like you to be happy.”  People-pleasing says, “I must be like BY you to be happy.”

Prov. 29:25 says, “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you.”  God didn’t create you to fulfill the expectations of others.  You were planned for God’s pleasure.  1 Thess. 2:4 NLT says, “Our purpose is to please God, not people.  He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”  In 2 Cor. 10:8 Paul said, “You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord’s approval.”  

Remember that even God can’t please everyone.
Only a fool would try to do what even God can’t do.  Jesus even said, “Woe, to you when all men speak well of you.”

Remember that you don’t need anyone’s approval to be happy.
Happiness is a choice.  Instead of focusing on the unappeasable people of the world, refocus on Jesus, who accepts you unconditionally.  

Remember that what seems so important now is only temporary.
1 John 2:17 says, “The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.”  

Remember that God shaped you to be you, not somebody else.
In the end, God will not ask you why you weren’t like someone else.  Instead, He is going to ask, “Did you fulfill the purpose I created you for?”

Prayer

Lord, although others may encourage me, You are the only one that matters.
I live to please you and fulfill Your purpose for my life.
Examine my heart today.  
Help me to identify and remove any impure motives.
I don’t need the approval of others to be happy.
You shaped me not to be somebody else, but to be me.
Help me to be the best version of myself today.
For your glory and honor, in Jesus’ Name.