Stop Chasing Approval: Respect Yourself the Way God Does | Richems.com

 

Stop Chasing Approval: Respect Yourself the Way God Does

Do you often feel the need to please everyone — to earn love, acceptance, or validation? Maybe you find yourself constantly wondering what others think of you, worrying that you might disappoint them. You smile when you’re hurting, agree when your heart says no, and say yes even when your spirit whispers stop. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — but you don’t have to live that way anymore.

God didn’t design you to live for approval. He designed you to live from His love. There’s a vast difference between the two — and discovering that truth could set your heart free forever.

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”
— Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

1. The Endless Trap of Approval Seeking

The need for approval starts subtly. It may come from a desire to be loved, to feel seen, or to be acknowledged. But soon, it becomes a cycle that drains your peace. You start measuring your worth by the opinions of others, not the truth of God’s Word.

When we chase approval, we give people the power to define us. But only the One who created you has the authority to tell you who you are. Chasing applause will always leave you exhausted, because no amount of human validation can fill a God-shaped void in your heart.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

2. God’s Definition of Your Worth

Your worth isn’t measured by likes, compliments, or recognition — it’s measured by the cross. Jesus didn’t die for you because you earned it. He did it because He saw infinite value in your soul. That’s divine respect. That’s love beyond condition.

When you see yourself the way God does, you stop performing for approval and start living from purpose. You begin to value your peace, your boundaries, and your calling.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
— Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

3. The Difference Between Respect and Approval

Approval is temporary. Respect is eternal. Approval depends on how well you meet others’ expectations. Respect grows when you align your life with God’s truth. When you live with integrity, humility, and faith, you earn respect — not by chasing it, but by walking in obedience to Christ.

Jesus was never a people-pleaser. He was a truth speaker. He loved people deeply but didn’t adjust His message to make them comfortable. Even when misunderstood or rejected, He remained faithful to His purpose.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…”
— Isaiah 53:3 (ESV)

4. When Approval Becomes an Idol

Many don’t realize that chasing approval can turn into a subtle form of idolatry. When we prioritize people’s opinions above God’s truth, we make them our silent masters. We start fearing rejection more than sin, and that’s dangerous ground for the believer.

True freedom begins when we fear God more than we fear losing approval. Respecting yourself means respecting the image of God in you — His design, His grace, and His calling. You were made in His likeness, not in the likeness of public opinion.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2 (NIV)

5. The Power of Saying No

Respecting yourself sometimes means having the courage to say “no.” Jesus said no to the devil in the wilderness, no to distractions from His mission, and no to those who tried to crown Him before His time. Every “no” born from discernment protects your peace and purpose.

If saying no makes you feel guilty, remind yourself that even God sets boundaries. He commands rest, silence, and separation. Your soul needs space to breathe, and your spirit needs time with Him more than applause from anyone else.

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
— Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)

6. Living Free from the Opinions of Others

When you stop chasing approval, you gain the courage to live authentically. You stop pretending. You start walking in the freedom Christ purchased for you. You no longer need to explain your worth to anyone because you know Who defines you.

Criticism no longer cripples you. Compliments no longer control you. You learn to appreciate both without losing your peace. That’s maturity — and it’s what God wants for every believer.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
— Romans 8:31 (NIV)

7. Practical Ways to Respect Yourself God’s Way

a. Speak kindly to yourself

Negative self-talk dishonors the God who made you. Replace it with truth. When doubt whispers, respond with Scripture. Say what God says about you — not what fear suggests.

b. Set healthy boundaries

Respect doesn’t mean isolation; it means knowing when to step back so you can grow. Boundaries are biblical. Even Jesus withdrew to pray, to rest, and to realign with His Father’s will.

c. Pursue purpose, not popularity

Popularity fades, but purpose endures. God’s assignment for your life is unique. Walk faithfully in it even if no one claps. Heaven is watching, and that’s what matters most.

d. Surround yourself with truth-tellers

Don’t surround yourself with those who only tell you what you want to hear. Seek friends who remind you who you are in Christ — people who sharpen your faith and push you toward growth.

e. Forgive yourself as God forgives you

Self-condemnation is another trap of approval seeking. It keeps you stuck in guilt. But when God forgives, He forgets. Respecting yourself means walking in that same grace.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

8. God’s Approval Is Enough

When the voice of the world grows loud, remember — God’s voice still speaks peace. His approval isn’t based on performance but position. You are already accepted, already loved, already chosen.

He’s not waiting for you to be perfect; He’s calling you to be present. When you live with that awareness, you no longer need to chase validation. You’ll find rest for your soul in His unchanging love.

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
— Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

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9. Respect Yourself Because Heaven Does

When God created you, He declared you “good.” Heaven saw your worth before you did. Angels celebrate your obedience, not your approval ratings. The Holy Spirit empowers your confidence, not your comparisons.

Respect yourself because Heaven respects God’s image in you. You’re not a mistake, not a burden, and not invisible. You are a divine masterpiece in progress, a vessel of grace in motion.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
— Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

10. The Peace That Comes with Godly Confidence

There’s a calm that comes when you stop chasing and start resting. You begin to move slower, love deeper, and pray longer. You live from a quiet confidence that says, “I am who God says I am.”

Respecting yourself God’s way doesn’t make you proud — it makes you peaceful. It doesn’t lead to arrogance; it leads to gratitude. Because when you know you’re valued by God, you don’t need to beg for attention. You start reflecting His glory instead.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Final Thoughts

Stop chasing approval that fades and start embracing respect that lasts. God respects you — not because you’re flawless, but because you’re His. When you learn to see yourself through His eyes, peace replaces pressure, confidence replaces comparison, and worship replaces worry.

Respect yourself the way God does — because Heaven already approves of who you are becoming.

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