"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord."
Proverbs 29:25-26
This is a good reminder about our priorities. It's really easy to get into people-pleasing, trying to get your boss or teacher or director or friend or whoever to notice you, or praise you, or think you're cool. And it isn't that we shouldn't be friendly and care about others. We should love others and build friendships and be awesome to each other... but sometimes it goes over the line, just like wanting something turns into coveting. If we fear what someone else things more than we care what God thinks... or if we want someone else to be pleased with us more than we desire to please God, then we've gotten things out of balance.
Actually, I like the first verse because unlike the way I just compared things, the scriptures don't compare what people think to what God thinks. They compare fear to trust. Do we fear man more than we trust God? And in the second verse, why are we working so hard to please someone besides God, who in in charge of *all* of it? I think that's kind of the crux of the whole thing. God is in charge, and he has things under control, and anytime we fear, we are essentially doubting him. Doubting his plan. Doesn't mean it isn't natural or understandable. We run into scary things a lot. But maybe if we remember that fear is doubt, we can bounce back faster, remembering that God will get us through this chapter just like all the others. Things will be okay.
Today, let's work on letting go of our fear, and on trusting God. Let's stop worrying so much about what people can do to us, or what they think. Let's love them, of course, cooperate, and enjoy our time together, but if we need someone's approval, let's turn to the Lord, and trust his plan.
Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord."
Proverbs 29:25-26
This is a good reminder about our priorities. It's really easy to get into people-pleasing, trying to get your boss or teacher or director or friend or whoever to notice you, or praise you, or think you're cool. And it isn't that we shouldn't be friendly and care about others. We should love others and build friendships and be awesome to each other... but sometimes it goes over the line, just like wanting something turns into coveting. If we fear what someone else things more than we care what God thinks... or if we want someone else to be pleased with us more than we desire to please God, then we've gotten things out of balance.
Actually, I like the first verse because unlike the way I just compared things, the scriptures don't compare what people think to what God thinks. They compare fear to trust. Do we fear man more than we trust God? And in the second verse, why are we working so hard to please someone besides God, who in in charge of *all* of it? I think that's kind of the crux of the whole thing. God is in charge, and he has things under control, and anytime we fear, we are essentially doubting him. Doubting his plan. Doesn't mean it isn't natural or understandable. We run into scary things a lot. But maybe if we remember that fear is doubt, we can bounce back faster, remembering that God will get us through this chapter just like all the others. Things will be okay.
Today, let's work on letting go of our fear, and on trusting God. Let's stop worrying so much about what people can do to us, or what they think. Let's love them, of course, cooperate, and enjoy our time together, but if we need someone's approval, let's turn to the Lord, and trust his plan.
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