Tuesday, February 6, 2018

What Really Counts

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:31


It is easy to measure our value based on how happy we make those around us, especially if you are a people pleaser.  For some, it is incredibly hard to tell people no if we think they are going to be let down or disappointed in us, and even more so if it is someone we really care about.  People pleasers will be blinded by the disapproval of others, to the point of having no boundaries or self-esteem.  This is a dangerous way to live because when we live like this, we belong to everyone else, not to ourselves, and certainly not to God.  We can easily find ourselves far from God and far from our true selves in order to find belonging and value.  When we start living our lives making ourselves fit into another person’s definition of who we are, we will become something we aren’t meant to be.  We will fit their identity for us, but it probably won’t fit God’s identity for us, the only true source of our value. 
God created us.  His value on our lives has to be the only value that counts.  That is something that each of us needs to know and settle in our hearts and then trust that knowledge.  We can’t trust the feeling, because feelings come and go.  Sometimes it may not feel good, like when we say no to someone and they are unhappy with us.  That is when the knowledge of our worth in Him wins.  We can’t question it, or ask others to understand it.  Don’t live another day in the shadow of everyone else’s approval.  God’s mark on our hearts is the only one that counts.  His purpose for our lives takes precedence over other people’s opinions of how we live, and in the end, His judgement will be far more important than everyone else’s opinions. 



Scripture to Claim:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.   Jeremiah 29:11

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