“Are you happy?”
A man who was following his heart asked this of a woman who was success-driven in her career. A woman who was always striving for perfectionistic performance to please her mother, never stopping to think what will make HER happy. (Movie: Stranded in Paradise)
Striving to please. Sound familiar? Do you long for success? Do you think it will make you feel happier or more approved by the people around you?
I sometimes slip into questioning the impact I make as a writer. I start thinking of numbers. Number of followers, likes, or comments. I start needing validation again or approval. I start thinking I’m not a success as a writer if I don’t write a book.
Unmet expectations, some I heap on myself and some pressures from society, make me feel I’m a failure in making a difference in this world. I think I should be making a bigger splash, like some book writers do. I start feeling pressured to write a book. But then I have to ask myself… Is this a guilt thing or a God direction? Am I just afraid writing at my blog does not make enough of a difference? Am I just seeking for approval and validation from people?
In The Art and Craft of Writing Christian Fiction, Jeff Gerke shares how his “lifelong addiction to the approval and validation of others was nothing but false thinking.” Jesus freed him to “begin writing – and living – simply for Him.”
I sometimes lose sight of that. Sometimes I think I have recovered from approval addiction, but then it floods in and consumes my thoughts again. Even though I am happy when I write, a discontent stirs in me that I’m not enough of a writer if I don’t write a book. Or my inner critic starts beating me up and telling me I’m not doing enough. I’m not making a big enough splash. But what I should be focusing on is writing and living simply for Jesus.
“Success” is never going to make us happy. And if we want to make a bigger splash in making a difference in this world just for the sake of more pats on the back, we are serving from the wrong motive. What matters is living simply for Jesus in whatever we do.
Seeking approval from people will never make us happy. Their accolades will never be enough to fill us up. What matters is our approval from God, and we have more than enough of that. He not only approves and qualifies us. He even favors us and delights in us. What more do we need?
We don’t have to even be concerned with whether we make a ripple or a splash. Happiness is to follow Jesus no matter what and to ask His Spirit of power to fill us to overflowing with His love, approval, and acceptance. Then automatically, that love will brim over into other people’s lives, and the need for success, performance, and approval from people will be forgotten.
Jesus first, no matter what we do, and we will be happy. No, it won’t always be a rose-petaled road here on earth. There are going to be bumps, potholes, and deep valleys of darkness and pain, but He’ll get us through it, and in the end it will be out-of-this-world, eternal bliss.
“Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God?
Do I seek to please men?
If I were still seeking popularity with men,
I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).”
Galations 1:10 AMP
Praying we will remember Jesus loves us,
has pre-approved us, and accepts us no matter what!
Freed to Fly 
Hi, i’m having coffee w/ holley next to you late this morning, and i’m glad I am. I like (am like??) that telling phrase “approval addiction.” before I wrote my book (don’t be impressed)- a friend asked me, “Would you write it if no one read it – just to write it for God?’ I wasn’t pleased, nor did i finish right away. I had to get over myself and did self-publish a year ago. For God and for sale when I speak. (: This is a universal struggle – and the Lord is pleased with you, as you know. I wrote on this topic (sort of) today – actually featuring my brother’s great blog post on “our contribution.” You may be encouraged from reading his. bless you.
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I didn’t know Hyatt is your brother, but yes, I was encouraged reading what he said. Such wise advice. 🙂 I love what your friend asked you. I have to remind myself all the time to write for an audience of One. Thank you for sharing, Sue. God bless you!
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Hi trudy. Actually my brother is hyatt moore. Not Michael hyatt. Both wise men ! Thank you. Bless you too!
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I realized that after I looked up your brother’s site. Yes, both wise men. 🙂 Thank you, too!
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I so understand where you are coming from with this post! It’s something that seems innate in us; to please others and feel successful but we somehow overlook the accepting ourself and doing what God wants of us.
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Yes, it’s so hard to accept ourselves as God created us and to follow His plan, isn’t it? Praying for strength and guidance for us both! Thank you for stopping!
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Reblogged this on Captive Dreams Window and commented:
Re-blogging on Captive Dreams Window. Thanks for the reminder!
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Thank you, Robbye. 🙂 God bless you!
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Thank you, Trudy, for this truth-filled reminder. It’s lovely to meet you through Michelle @ Journey Pink! I appreciate how you have reminded us who struggle with approval-addiction that Jesus is truly all we need.
Gratefully,
Renee
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Thank you, Renee. Sometimes it’s so hard to replace the default mode of approval addiction with our approval and acceptance in Jesus, but God is so patient and faithful with us. It’s great to meet you, too, Renee. I enjoyed your inspirational site and am looking forward to hearing more.
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Trudy, I have to keep coming back to this time and again:”What matters is our approval from God, and we have more than enough of that. He not only approves and qualifies us. He even favors us and delights in us. What more do we need?” Amen! But, oh how easily we forget and fall deeper into the people-approval traps set before us. It’s a necessary thing to continually remind ourselves that we write for an audience of One and how He already approves of us beyond measure. Thank you, friend. I needed this! Blessings 🙂 x
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Thank you, Joy. Blessings to you, too! We’ll have to keep reminding each other, right? 🙂 Hugs!
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