As I thought through these comments, it became painfully aware I had allowed man's opinions to rule my heart. In the never ending quest for approval, I had replaced God's truth with man's expectations. The approval of those around me had become an idol in my life.
We all have idols in our lives. I had deluded myself into believing I did not need your approval. The truth is approval is a aphrodite in my search for love and has skewed my truth barometer. Man's opinion of me has become as important and at times more important than God's truth. At a minimum it has clouded the reflection of light shining from God's Word as to how He sees me.
I have allowed man's opinions to rule my heart and mind instead of God's sure promises. The beauty of how He faithfully, unfailingly, and immeasurably loves me has been laid aside in a vain attempt to seek man's favor. Man's favor is fleeting---God's love is eternal.
SO--thank you for the wake up call---and from this day forward---I will look to God for approval--and seek to please Him--and only Him. The beauty is that---by seeking to please Him---I strongly suspect you will be pleased also.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
II Corinthians 5:9
Oh dear ... I did not mean to upset you Lulu when I said you are sometimes too hard on yourself. Look ... the thing is I and other readers know you from what you write in this Blog. Your family, grand-children, holidays, great adventures and what happens in your hood. And the picture I get from this is that you are a very nice person that many people would be glad and priviledged to know.
ReplyDeleteI did not mean to criticise your self-judgement and whether it is excessive or not. Yes Lulu, we all have our quirks and perhaps we don't see ourselves as others see us. But so what? The main focus here is to be happy with ourselves in the sure knowledge that God loves us no matter how we are. Because He made us and there are no rejects on His production line.
You also mention aphrodite the Greek goddess of love. I remember reading a lymerick about her written by that famous poet Plato, who used to balance and spin plates on sticks; hence his name. Anyway, he wrote:
There once was a beauty named Aphrodite
Who went out for a walk in her nighty
He didn't finish the poem because he was somehow overcome by what he saw.
To be serious for a monent, truth is, Lulu ... I am sorry if I have upset you.
God bless.
No-Victor, you did not upset me. You did cause me to stop and think and consider your words. I think we all are guilty of putting for too much weight oh man's approval. The Scripture tells us to love others as we love ourselves. You are absolutely right, The beginning of following this commandment is loving ourselves.
DeleteBlessings, dear friend!
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ReplyDeleteAlways good to reassess the situation...Sometimes I reassess many times during one day. lol
DeleteYES---and change my mind quite frequently. NOT much is in stone anymore!!
DeleteBlessings, Friend!
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ReplyDelete