Addicted to People's Approval? QUIT NOW!!!

Are you the type of person that wants to please people all the time? Do you always strive for the approval of others?

This people-pleasing behaviour can be an easy trap to fall into. We think that what people think of us matters and when we always get their approval, we always expect to receive it every time. We just can't get enough of it.

What we don't realise is that trying to get the approval of others can be highly addictive. And just like anyone who has some form of addiction to a particular thing, such as drugs, gambling, sex, food, or alcohol, we begin to feel withdrawal symptoms when "such approval" we desire to have is held back from us. Then slowly, sometimes rapidly, we start to feel uncertain of our own self. We experience the highs and lows, like a roller coaster ride, except that I'm talking about our emotional state.

The truth is we are immature when we worry about what others think of us. We should learn from the example of Paul in the Bible. In case you don't know who Paul is, or St. Paul, he was the apostle that wrote the epistles found in the Bible. He persecuted the early Christians until he had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus on his way to Damascus, then Paul began to evangelise and spread the Good News.

In his epistles, Paul spoke the truth in love, either by confronting people or being gentle with them. He knew, since he was told about it, that some people didn't like him, but he didn't lose sleep over it.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV), Paul said:

Paul's self-worth and sense of security were not founded on the acceptance of other people, but of God. He didn't compare himself with others, like who was far more superior or who needed to be in charge of the Church. Paul knew he had God's approval so he no longer felt anxious about anything, which meant that he could enjoy the life God called him to.

Just like with Paul, God also wants us to develop into maturity. Unless we know who we are in God's eyes, we will always want to identify ourselves with people's perceptions of us. We will always worry about what others think of us. We will always seek their approval, and if we don't get it, we begin to have feelings of condemnation and worthlessness.

However, as we become more mature, we realise that people are not really thinking about us at all. The truth is, they are also too busy thinking about themselves to think about us. They may also feel the same feelings of inadequacy that they also worry about what other people's perceptions are of them.

But knowing we have God's approval gives us the strength to withstand criticisms and deal with conflicts and issues because we are secure in our identity and in God's grace and unconditional love for us. We don't have to struggle for other people's approvals when we know we are loved and accepted by God.

I hope you are inspired by this message. Please leave a comment below if you have any feedback or additional insight. Thank you for reading! God bless you!

Related Posts:

• It's Time to Discover Yourself
• Anxious? Stressed? Here's God's Remedy for You!
• I am Loved by God