Often times we spend so much time trying to get ahead in life. Whether it's at a job, or in school, or in social settings, it is very easy to take our eyes off of God and to look to impress the world around us. Because of this we can get hung up. We're so focused on being apart of what everyone else is doing or being the best at our jobs or activities that we suddenly aren't happy anymore. We work so hard at getting our approval from this world that we're forgetting that this world wasn't made to do that! It is impossible to count on a human being or an activity to carry the weight of your happiness because it wasn't made to complete you or to satisfy you. 

So I ask this question... WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE?

Is it your friends? Your boyfriend/girlfriend? Your favorite sport? Your job? Your ability to excel? Or anything else along those lines. What is it that you work so desperately for? Whatever it is, it is blocking you from being able to have freedom in your life from the things in this world and safety from the schemes that satan tries to plot against you. 

Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

As we walk through life seeking the approval of our bosses, our friends, our families, our coaches, our neighbors, ect.. we are putting the power of our acceptance and approval into things of this world instead of God. Because of this we become trapped and overwhelmed by worry and frustration because in reality, no one can measure up to the standards of this world and nothing in this world is going to fill the God sized hole in us, other than God himself! When we're concerned with the approval of others, we are creating a stronghold for satan to be able to control and manipulate us.. by doing this we allow him to be able to make us feel like we're not good enough or cause us to become so anxious that we can't function and God doesn't want that for us. 

In Christ We Have Freedom Many people don't even realize the freedom that we have in Christ, but with God we get a fast pass from all of that! We get to skip over all of the junk because in God we are loved, in God we are worthy,  in God we are righteous, in God we complete, in God we can do all things! When we look to God for our approval, we are protected from the lies that satan tries to feed us and we are solid and secure in this world knowing that we have a foundation in Christ who loves us and will always provide for us! How awesome is that? To be able to walk through life and know that you are loved and accepted, and that you don't need the opinions of this world because God, the only thing that matters in this entire universe, has given it to you! I don't know about you but that is incredible to me.

Colossians 3: 1-4 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

IT'S TIME TO LOOK TO GOD The next time you're struggling and you're anxious and you feel like you can't do anything right, ask yourself who you're trying to please. When you're looking around and you feel like you're failing miserably, look up! Because when your goal is God's approval, nothing else in this world matters. No matter what you do or how many times you fall, God will always love you and always forgive you.. you just have to look towards Him! When you look to God, you can always stand firm in peace because you know that God is the only thing that matters.. and I promise you, when the only approval you're seeking is God's, everything else in your life will fall into place. 

Just remember.. your salvation and your glory rest in God's hands, not anyone else's.