Are You an Approval Addict lesson 5

Lesson Five

Are You an Approval Addict

Must I Be Approved by Certain Others to Feel Good About Myself

The Search for Approval

How much of your life have you spent trying to gain the approval of others? Our self-confidence is determined not only by how we view ourselves, but also by how we believe other people perceive us. When we base our self-worth on what we think others believe about us, we can become addicted to their approval. We begin striving to meet their expectations and standards, serving and serving, hoping that our efforts will finally make us feel accepted, valued, and loved.

We often spend a great deal of time building relationships, trying to please people, and attempting to win their respect. Yet when someone disregards or fails to appreciate us, it may take only one careless or unkind word to damage our entire sense of self-worth.

The Fear of Rejection

The world is filled with people who make approval and acceptance conditional, something that must be earned through performance or exchanged for pleasing others. This can create a deep fear of rejection, making it difficult for us to give and receive love freely. That fear may also cause us to withdraw from relationships, eventually leading to loneliness and isolation. The fear of rejection is widespread today, and loneliness can be one of the most painful and dangerous places in which to live. Even loving, faithful Christians can fall into this trap.

My Experience with Approval Addiction

I was once plagued by this addiction to approval. I did not isolate myself, but I constantly tried to do things that would gain the acceptance and approval of others. Yet I quickly discovered how suddenly their approval could turn into criticism or rejection, leaving me hurt and questioning my worth.

The Good News of Our Acceptance in Christ

Thank God that He opens our spiritual eyes to see His truth in His perfect timing! When our eyes are opened, we can turn to Him and receive the wonderful assurance that we are fully loved, forgiven, and accepted in Jesus Christ.

Through the truth of God’s Word, we can recognize and reject Satan’s lies that tell us our self-worth is determined by our performance plus the opinions of others.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Therefore, in Him, we are forgiven, made holy, covered by His precious blood, and forever secure in God’s love and acceptance. Amen!

Because rejection and disapproval can be so painful, we may spend much of our lives trying to win the love, approval, and acceptance of others. We may even find ourselves constantly striving to please people, hoping that their approval will make us feel worthy and loved.

But here is the Good News: In Christ, we are already fully pleasing and accepted by God!

This is a powerful truth that we will continue to examine throughout this lesson.

As we grow in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and learn to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He leads us into the liberating truth of who we really are in Christ.

We begin to develop a deeper, more secure sense of self-worth—not because of what we have accomplished, how well we perform, or what others think about us, but because Jesus Christ loves us so much that He willingly gave His life for us.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

Preparing to Examine the Symptoms of Rejection

Before we examine God’s wonderful solution to the fear of rejection, let us first consider the many ways rejection and the fear of disapproval can affect our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behavior.

The following symptoms are not meant to label, judge, or condemn anyone. Instead, they are intended to help us recognize how painful experiences of rejection, and the fear of being rejected again, can influence the way we see ourselves and respond to others.

As we begin to recognize these patterns, we can bring them before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the false beliefs we may have accepted about ourselves.

Remember, awareness is the beginning of change. God’s truth brings freedom, and His love brings healing.

Jesus said:

John 8:32 (KJV)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”Preparing to Examine the Symptoms

Before we examine God's solution, let us first consider the many ways the fear of rejection can affect us.

Anger, Resentment, Hostility
Codependency, Avoidance of People, Control of others
Depression, Being Easily Manipulated, Repeating of Negative Messages, Hyposensitivity
All of us have been rejection at one time. But, do we see the stronghold of pain and unforgiveness in people. I had this fear of rejection from a husband. I couldn't seem to live up to they’re standards? ? I felt so unloved/Confusion and I was always doing wrong in there??? Eyes. It was hard to climb out?

First thing I did was to know they were telling me a lie, it was there control style hinding there own failure or unrealized Trauma. Now that’s very heavy ??? But Christ has set us free and we can claim VICTORY??

I am loved and crowned Queen in my father's house !! God always LOVES!!

We experience the fear of rejection and its accompanying problem because we believe Satan’s lie:

Self Worth = Performance +Others Opinions.

Through inner healing work we can find out that Satan lies. He tells us we are not worthy and there goes are self worth. Why do we belive the lie. Let’s focus on what God says about us.

God love us unconditionally.

Ephesians1:7. I AM REDEEMED = I AM FORGIVEN

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his Grace.

Romans 5:8 God loved us even in our Sins.

“ But God commentated his LOVE toward us , in that , while we were yet sinners,Christ Died For us”!!!!

Ephesians 2:4-5 His love reaches us when we cannot ourselves.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love theories he loved us, Even when we were dead in Sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, By Grace we are saved from death, Just need to ask to be in Gods kingdom.

JOHN 3:16 — His LOVE moved Him to give his SON.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Amen Let’s all make sure we accept Jesus Christ for our forgiveness of Sins>>>

When we get our sight and see Jesus :

GOD WILL. Heal and love

Heal our hearts through forgiveness.

As we grow toward spiritual maturity, we become better able to recognize these areas in our lives and find our true significance in God's unconditional love and His complete acceptance of us in Christ.

Thanks again Look for the 6 lesson. We are all climbing up to Victory Hall !