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One of my fears is the fear of man. That is, I’m afraid of what others think of me. To be blatantly honest, I crave approval, acceptance, affirmation. I want you to like me, to think well of me. And I’m afraid that you won’t.
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I’m afraid that I will say or do something that will cause you to think less of me. Or perhaps to just downright dislike me. Horror of horrors…you may even reject me. Lash back at me. Cut me out of your life.
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And while I know that all these are normal feelings, I don’t necessarily think they are good.
You see, my Creator tells me in His Word that I am deeply loved and fully known and absolutely accepted by Him.
He says things like–
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.”
Jeremiah 31:3“…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1:6“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
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The truth is–this kind of acceptance is all the acceptance that I really need. Because, as life would have it, there’s no possible way for every one of you to like me. It’s just not going to happen. I’m going to disappoint someone. Some of you just won’t agree with all that I think is true. And if I walk around in life trying my very best to please you…and fail…I will be desperately miserable. And who wants misery?
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But if I recall to mind, time and time again, that my Maker delights in me, that He knows me fully and loves me entirely, overwhelmingly…then I can be at rest. Yes, then I will be free…free to just be who I’m created to be. Free to mess up, free to fail…but best of all, free to love you…because I’m not so concerned about me.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”John 8:32
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