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Approval Addiction
"Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
One day I got tired of hearing myself talk.
During a time when everything seemed to be going well, I found myself in a
whirlwind where God revealed to me that my life was actually out of control. I
knew I was walking the path He had laid out for me and it lined up with my
passion for helping others. The problem was that I had become so good at it I
didn't feel the need to call on God's help anymore.
What I did come to need, however, was others to tell me I was doing a good job.
In fact, if someone didn't pat me on the back, I would tell them about my good deeds!
Everywhere I went people told me how skilled I was at doing this particular thing.
I had become so adept at it that I figured there was no need to consult God
anymore. I stopped praying much about it and would just "do." In the
middle of my doing, however, I would make sure and ask others if I was doing it
okay.
One day I was talking to someone and God allowed me to see myself, almost like
I was listening as an outsider. I hated what I had become. Who was this person?
Why was she talking so much? Who cared that she did this or that? Oh my
goodness, what had become of me?
I decided that day to stop talking about myself. I decided to quit depending on
other people's thoughts about what I was doing, or how I was doing it. I
decided that the only One I needed to impress was God. I knew that it wasn't
going to happen without thought and planning. This desire for approval was not
going to go away by itself.
First, I sat down and had a good cry. Then I consulted God and prayed. I made a
decision to be quiet about myself for 30 days. Whenever I talked to someone, I
would not mention "me" at all. I would not recount my
accomplishments, my breakthroughs, or my shortcomings. Nothing. I decided to
begin listening to others as if hearing them for the first time. If they asked
about me, I would simply answer, "I'm doing great, thank you." That's
it. No more information. I wanted to turn outward and begin to invest in other
people's lives.
Well, 30 days turned into 60 days, and then into 90. I will tell you...I'm
different now. My friends would probably agree, but I can honestly say I don't
desire their approval anymore. It's funny how when we turn attention away from
ourselves, we end up feeling more complete in the end. Because truly, the only
thing that completes us is God.
Dear
Lord, forgive me for seeking approval from anyone but You. Teach me to be silent so I can hear others and most
importantly, hear You. Bring to my attention, in a way that only You can, times
when I am becoming self-absorbed during conversations. Thank You for loving me
enough to help me grow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Shari Braendel
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You might think it silly now, but way
back when, Nicholas Jonas was just twelve I was begging Christian stations to play his music, I said this kid is going to
be Big, He is going places, hehe Wow was that an understatement. I wrote them (The Jonas's) and told them I would remove the
photo / link if they wanted The Two Great Cd's at the time was and still is "Dear God" and "Joy to the world a Christmas Prayer"
boy these are still timeless gifts hope you get one Oh the next year his Cd's took off and they were playing those Cd's all
the time in the interim I put the Cd hook-ups on the Christian sites. God Bless

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You can order by Clicking the CD Nicholas Jonas |
I have
always valued the impute from readers, especially men and woman in recovery, Why.?. Because I feel as if we have come so far
already, I mean, temptation on either side of us. Sometimes right in our families, some that may find joy in our falling.
Regardless the struggle I believe God has given me the gift to empower His papers to make lives step into the Full Armor of
God Daily, We have to deal with what is in the day right now! Because we cannot change ten minutes ago, we can't change a
year ago, but we can know in the day we will strive to make our lives a beacon to those suffering and granted there are many.
I would rather bring one man to the cross then anything else in this journey. We have the power to help those, right around
us, make it happen today, you can do this!
Better Tomorrows 85-366 Heather lane. Coachella,
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questions, concerns, Prayer requests please submit then to the Aim account @ BTEM1985@Aim.com all other mail can go to
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Better Tomorrows
Http://BetterTomorrows.Tripod.com
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