It Starts Small

Think about people that make you their favorite: a coach that takes special interest in you, a favorite teacher, a mentor, or even a parent who loves you very much. You know where you stand with them, but you still want to do things that they will be proud of. This leads us to doing homework when we do not want to, practice hard when we are too tired and we obey those people even when the rules do not seem to make sense. Why? Why do we go the extra mile? Because at the end of the day, we know they care about us.

God works in the same way. He already loves us and we want to do things He approves of. He cares about us, just as other cares about us. But what is the difference?

When we are constantly seeking the approval from people, we miss out on what pleases God. God does not look at the things people look at. The more we try to gain approval, the less we wills we will see the approval we can receive from God.

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God created each of us to show love to one another and to show Him love. Serving one another, talking to God through prayer, and living generously are great ways to stay connected to God and we find His approval when we do those things.

The problem with people pleasing to gain approval, it will never satisfy your need. We will never gain the complete approval of others because they will always raise the bar and higher the expectations. God’s approval never moves. His bar never raises and His expectations are the same all the time. We can know exactly what God desires of us, but with people it will constantly change.

Find one thing today that you can start doing that God approves of. Perhaps, reading your Bible 10 minutes a day or spending the first 10 minutes of your day talking to God. It could be reaching out to a coworker or family member who is suffering. It could be doing something without being asked. DO these things without any hope of being recognized or praised. Do something small that is unnoticed.

¹⁸ Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval. Romans 14:18

¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ³¹ The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

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Part 1: Craving Approval
Part 2: Looking for Approval
Part 3: People Pleasing
Part 4: Approval in Christ