Choosing approval from God

Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men.

— Acts 5:29 (AMPC)

Any of us who intend to do very much in life will have to accept the fact that there will be times when we won’t get everyone’s approval. That’s why, if we’re not careful, the need to be popular can steal our destiny.

For example, I deal with and minister to a wide variety of people—there is no way that I can please all of them all the time. We have several hundred employees at Joyce Meyer Ministries, and we rarely make a decision that suits all of them. If I was worried 24/7 about keeping every single one of them happy, I could never teach, or write, or fulfill what God’s called me to do. That’s why we need to live to please Him first. If others are happy, great, but if not, we can move forward knowing that we have Jesus’ never-ending love and approval.

Read More: Loving others with your words

The Bible says Jesus made Himself of "no reputation" (see Philippians 2:7). That’s a significant statement. He wasn’t well thought of by many people, but His heavenly Father approved of Him and what He was doing, and that was all that mattered to Him. The apostle Paul said that if he had been trying to be popular with people, he wouldn’t have been a servant of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 1:10). In the same way, as long as you and I have God's approval, we have what we need most.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to live for Your approval first instead of others’ approval. Thank You for loving and approving of me as Your child! In Jesus’ Name, amen.