So I have a confession to make. I do indeed have an addiction to approval. I even recreated a twitter account to see how much approval I can get. After a few days of having it now I see that I don't have much approval and those that I once called friend and some I still considered friends want nothing to do with me. I began to get upset because I know why this is but that is irrelevant. I immediately began thinking of a nasty blog that I could put together about how horrible some people are blah blah blah. How much better does that make me?
I went to God and asked His forgiveness for my thoughts and that said out loud out of emotions. Of course He forgives me then shows me something so spectacular. I am so eagar to find approval from all of these people and I am willing to do whatever it is to make things right and do this and do that say this and don't say that just to be accepted. All the time God is standing their with open arms calling out my name saying "I'll accept you I approve of you come to me".
Why do we care so much about what other people think? Why do we try so hard to be in with the 'cool' crowd?? I believe it's because we're human BUT when we have Christ in us when do we stop making excuses for our behavior and make the choice to take a stand and change? I want to be one of those people where people come to me and want to be my friend and begin asking questions of WHY? Why are you like this you're different what is it? That is an awesome testimony and that will lead to a beautiful friendship because you know it is God that brought you two together.
My name is Tracey and I am an Approvaholic, but my God has set me free and I am going to be a new woman in Christ. We don't have to work or earn His approval...He approved of us over 2,000 years ago when He not only died for us but He ROSE up from the grave. He rose up in victory and that victory is ours if only we would claim it and walk in it every day of our lives. People will wonder what has gotten a hold of us and they will ask "what's up"?
Love, Hugs & Blessings
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Well said, my fellow flocky friend!!!
ReplyDeleteI can NOT wait until you begin reading
'Approval Addiction'. It's AWESOMELY AMAZING!!!
It's a whole new life, livin' caring only what Jesus thinks about us and not all of the other human folks around us. You so have to watch Maz Lucado's "You Are Special". It's so us!
Love you, friend!
It's not just the approval, it's the sense of belonging, too; being a part of. Whether in this worldly life, or the life Christ gave me so long ago. It is a human thing to feel needed, accepted, and loved. It's a God thing to be that beacon of hope, acceptance, and love that someone may look to us for. To be able to share that unconditional approval is what makes my day.
ReplyDeleteI really do miss your tweets, but you update your FB status enough (most days) to keep your true friends abreast of your day. Good days and not-so-good days. It's what you feel is working for you. Would our paths have crossed without twitter? It's hard to say, but God brought us together. I enjoy reading your blogs. You always seem to think first, then write. You are honest. You are real. I wish we lived closer. I have enjoyed this short adventure from Minnesota to Texas! Keep it up.
Thanks Shellie. Maybe I had twitter to cross roads with people like you and Kelly...now that we have...maybe my twitter road is up. Thanks for your insight.
ReplyDeleteLove, Hugs & Blessings.
Tracey-part of what you may be longing for is not only approval but fellowship. When we seek it in the wrong way, in a way that gives us the excuse of saying "I am ok the way I am I don't need to change anything about me regardless of what God says" then that is sin.
ReplyDeleteHowever-when what we seek is the fellowship of believers-that built in need God gave us to build one another up with enouragement, to hold one another accountable, to pray for one another, to share our gifts-then that is fellowship. That is something that God has given us a longing for because we are one body, each a part of the whole. When we long for that in greater amounts it is because we have a greater capacity to allow others to come into our lives and build on what God has given us. That may be to pray for others, to build others up with encouragement, or to support them with our gifts of the spirit. Whatever that may be God has given us that longing.
What you need to ask God for is the wisdom to know whether you are looking for excuses, or longing for the proper fellowship that He has built into you. If it is excuses ask Him to forgive you. If it fellowship seek it in people who will fulfill that need in the proper way.