Who Is Approved?

• On what do you base your self-esteem?

• Whose opinions matter most to you?

But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18

It may feel good to brag, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter what we, or anyone else for that matter, think of ourselves. What matters is what God thinks of us. Therefore, we should base our self-esteem on what God thinks.

Do we love God? Are we seeking him? Are we working to keep his commandments? Are we working to put others’ needs ahead of our own? These are the questions we should be asking when questioning our own worth.

It’s not about what our friends think. It’s not about what the media tells us. It’s not about what our teachers, coaches or pastors think. It’s not even about what our parents think. It’s about what God thinks. He asks us to love him and to love others. He asks us to seek him. If we are doing these things, we are approved, and we should have no shortage of self-esteem. Ever.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your Word, which teaches us how to please you. Thank you that our self-worth lies completely and safely in you. Amen.