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Tuesday, Jan 16 - Surrendering the Opinion of Others
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DEVOTIONAL: “SURRENDERING THE OPINION OF OTHERS"
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It is natural and sometimes helpful to be concerned with what others think of you, whether it is the first week of classes or making a first impression at a job interview. Yet, seeking to please others can also be detrimental in some situations, such as when a keeping-up-with-the-Jones mentality results in purchasing a new vehicle that is beyond your budget or when “imposter syndrome” wreaks havoc on your ability to perform in professional settings.
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In his book, When People are Big, Edward Welch refers to this controlling power of people as “the fear of man.” This is not a literal terror-filled fear, but a mindset that places an inordinate amount of concern in the thoughts of others, where you need their approval, affirmation, or attention in order to feel complete, loved, or valued.
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As we surrender to God’s Word, our aim should be to please Him more than others. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:9:
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“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
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These words encapsulate a powerful principle that can transform the way we navigate the world: the commitment to please God above all, regardless of our circumstances.
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How do we overcome the fear of man? Consider the following two steps in your personal journey this month:
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Step 1: Grow in your “fear” of the Lord. When I first started using a smartphone, it took some time to figure out how to use it. And each time there is an OS update, it takes some time to figure it out again! Likewise, growing in the “fear of the Lord” is a lifelong process that involves praying and reading His Word daily. When you “fear the Lord,” you seek to reverently submit to His commands, which brings all kinds of benefits, such as wisdom (Psalm 111:10), and an increased ability to turn away from sin (Proverbs 16:6).
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Step 2: Consider where your desires have been too big. Edward Welch says that “When we fear people, people are big, our desires are even bigger, and God is small.” When your selfish desires are too large, you have thoughts such as “If only others would notice me more.” You see yourself as needing noticed to gain happiness. In other words, the opinions of others have become the gap fillers of your life. However, God wants you to see Him as the gap filler. He sees you, notices your need, and loves you. So replace the need to be noticed with the truth that God loves and cares for you (1 John 4:17-18).
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Let 2 Corinthians 5:9 serve as a compass for your journey of faith, directing your steps toward the higher goal of pleasing God. May you embrace the intentional pursuit of aligning your desires to His rather than to the opinions of others.
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Dear God, I confess today that my desires have been too big, and you have been made too small. Help me to grow in my understanding of your love for me. I want you to fill the gaps in my life with you rather than the opinions of others. I want to please you more than my friends and family, and I ask for you to remind me of how big you are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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