Even when we rationally should know better, we can still care too much about what other people think of us. It can control what we think about ourselves, our actions, responses and beliefs, and the out working of those beliefs. We can get disappointed because we want to be understood, valued and accepted and we can get then get defensive when we feel we aren’t, especially around those we want to prove our worth to.
Recently I felt God speak to me and say quite simply, “we must get free of this tendency to care about what others think”. Because left to grow and develop that thinking will cause us to become intimidated, fearful, anxious, and limited. The root of this caring is no doubt found in our self worth and esteem as a person and how we view ourselves both in our eyes, God’s and other peoples.
What I have discovered is that when we understand who and how God has formed and created us, and the plans He has for our lives the more focused on the positives and what really matters we will be. Spending time in God’s presence and taking time to read His words in the bible, which tell of how He feels about us all help to shape the view we hold of ourselves. Plus determining the type of people we will associate with and that they are positive and encouraging us to continually cultivate our potential.
There is always going to be voices speaking and trying to shape our identity – the question is whose voice are we listening to? Who is shaping our thoughts about our life? Who are we listening to about what our future looks like and how much we are loved and valued?
God’s voice always speaks hope, love and the future we have in Him. He speaks success, overcoming, and us becoming all we were created to be. He continually in His Word encourages us to have a success mentality, because as we see ourselves succeeding we will gravitate towards success and positivity, which as a byproduct causes us to be at peace and ease with people. We then no longer strive to exert our prominence, worth and value because we are trying to validate and/or prove ourselves.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
“For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it! So now there is no longer any condemnation for those who believe in him.” (John 3:16-18 TPT)
Today take a few moments to ascertain whose voice you are listening to and how much you are limited by your concern of what others think. Plus more importantly are you listening to God speaking about who you are and what He knows about you, and then choosing that what He thinks of you will be what matters most.
Prayer: Lord please help me to grow to listen to your voice and word on what you say and think about me more than anyone else. In Jesus name Amen.
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