When You Struggle To Be Worthy in Their Eyes #31DaysofPraise

“The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

We keep looking around to see who approves. We worry whether they’ll find our actions worthy, our words appropriate.

We walk a tightrope trying to prove ourselves and be accepted.

I’ve tried so hard to move beyond the high school “fitting in”/popularity race, yet nearly 30-years later the race is still going strong. And too often, I find myself running in the middle of the pack. 

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think so.

We all want to fit in, to be accepted. It’s a condition of the human heart. We are desperate for validation.

So we question our actions until someone gives us a thumbs up. We question our words until someone gives us an Amen.

In contrast, we feel defeated and worth-less when we don’t get either.

Whose Validation Are We Seeking?

But really, who’s validation should we be looking for? It’s not our neighbors, our children’s, our friend’s, or our spouse’s.

We want to treat them right, of course. But no matter how much they love us, their acceptance is conditional, their perspective skewed.

The Lord is the only One who perfectly loves, perfectly accepts, perfectly validates. In Christ, we can have certain assurance of our worth in His eyes.

In Christ, we can have certain assurance of our worth in His eyes. #31DaysofPraise Click To Tweet

The Only Opinion that Matters

The real validation we seek, then, should be the Lord’s. In His affirmation is wrapped up all that is right and good.

Deuteronomy 31:8 is powerful because it reminds us who has our back. God goes with us. He is faithful to always be there.

We needn’t fear or get discouraged by what others think or say about us if God gives us His thumbs up.

We needn’t fear or get discouraged by what others think or say about us if God offers His Amen. 

When we get things right with the Lord, which we can do in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, no one else’s opinion really matters.

And when we fall short, which we will, He is there to remind us of His undying love and forgiveness, pouring out a grace that far exceeds our shortcomings. 

Yes, our flesh screams for us to measure our actions and words by what the world (or at least those in our sphere of influence) thinks.

It can be frustrating how often I still fall into that trap. 

Worthy in the Lord

But I continue to remind myself, true and meaningful validation is only found in the Lord. In Him, I am worthy! 

And He will never leave me or forsake me. The same can be said on your behalf.

Now those are sweet promises!

True and meaningful validation is only found in the Lord, and He will never leave us or forsake us. Click To Tweet

Reflections: Where/from whom do you tend to seek validation? Remember, God’s with you, leading and loving you, always. His affirmation is all that matters. Praise Him for His faithfulness!

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “validate.” I love these special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the image below or link above to check them out.

By His grace ≈

Julie