Whose Approval Am I Seeking?

A coaching colleague asked me recently, “What are you still afraid of?” That question struck deep. Even after all this time, I realized how much I still care about what people think of me. A part of me wrestles with people-pleasing, caught between the desire to honor God and the longing to be loved and respected by others.

Maybe you’ve felt this pull too. You want to live with integrity, holding to your faith and values. Yet, there’s a part of you that craves validation from others—acceptance, respect, a sense of belonging. But deep down, whose approval truly matters?

In a letter to the Galatians, Paul confronts this very struggle. He asks, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) Paul knew the trap of people-pleasing and how easily it could distract us from our purpose and shift our focus from the One who knows us fully and loves us unconditionally.

Why God’s Opinion Should Be Our Focus

It’s easy to focus on what people think, but it’s often a fleeting and unreliable source of worth. People’s opinions shift with trends, moods, and misunderstandings. Living for their approval can lead us to be something we’re not, to chase standards that change, or to carry guilt for not being “enough” in someone else’s eyes.

God’s opinion, on the other hand, is rooted in truth and love. He doesn’t see us for our flaws, our failures, or how we measure up in others’ eyes. He sees us as His beloved, uniquely created with purpose and worth. He looks at us and says, “You are mine, and you are enough.” Embracing His opinion as the foundation of our identity is liberating—it frees us from the weight of performance, comparison, and fear of rejection.

God’s Unchanging Love and Unconditional Acceptance

God’s love for us is unwavering, regardless of where we fall short or how much we’ve failed. Scripture reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Even when we didn’t deserve it, He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for our redemption. This kind of love is not something we have to earn—it’s freely given.

The reality is, His opinion isn’t dependent on our successes or failures. We are fully loved, fully seen, and fully valued by Him. And if the Creator of the universe says that we are worthy, why should we place anyone else’s opinion above His? It’s His opinion alone that gives our lives lasting significance.

A Call to Live Differently

Choosing to value God’s opinion over others requires faith and courage. Sometimes, it means standing firm when society or people around us disagree with our values. Living for God’s approval might even mean letting go of the need to fit in or be seen as successful in the world’s eyes.

But imagine the peace that comes when you’re no longer striving to meet everyone’s expectations. Living for God’s approval allows us to be rooted in a steady love that doesn’t falter, regardless of circumstances. It’s from this place of security that we can show up for others, extending grace, kindness, and love without needing anything in return.

Reflect and Reset: A Challenge for the Week

As you go through this week, ask yourself:

• Whose approval am I seeking? When you feel the urge to impress or conform, pause and remember whose opinion truly matters.
• Am I letting cultural trends or societal pressures guide me more than God’s Word?
• Do I truly believe that nothing I add to my life makes me more or less loved by God?

Let’s commit to exploring these questions and letting God’s truth become our anchor. If you find yourself slipping back into people-pleasing, remind yourself of His promises. His opinion is the one that will never fail, and it’s all that truly matters.