Whether we like to admit it or not, we all look for acceptance by others. Even babies read cues from those they want to please and try to change their behaviour.
The problem comes when we simply base our own self-worth on opinions of others. Just look at the importance people place on ‘followers’ on facebook, twitter and the like, and how often people check what people are saying about them on social media. The difficulty in this is that popular opinion changes constantly, so if we crave popularity we are likely to be in for some big disappointments.
If we are changing what we do all the time to be popular with one set of people or another, all we are doing is being inward looking and preoccupied with ourselves. It is not something that can be sustained in the long term and it certainly isn’t a healthy way to live. Anxiety sets in – am I good enough?, Dejection – feeling inadequate, even depression, as self esteem plummets.
We are God’s – made in his image, loved by him and made perfect in him. This is where we should find our self-worth not in seeking popularity and what others say about us.
We are told in Psalm 139 ‘You are a child of God, You are wonderfully made, dearly loved and precious in his sight’
And the great news is even if we do not see ourselves to be good enough, we have assurance that because of Jesus, we are accepted by God. It is God’s approval we should be seeking not the fleeting popularity that comes by trying to impress others,
Be a God pleaser not a people pleaser!