Gail Rodgers Sharing the Journey

Hope for the Heart Part 23 - Approved

by Gail Rodgers

Yet approval is one of the things we often withhold, sometimes without even realizing it. Our relationships suffer as a result.

God has given us His approval and knows that when we understand that, it will change the way we act. He says…

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of God.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Even though we don’t always act in ways that God would approve of, we know that He approves of us as His children and He loves us unconditionally. When we pass that on to those we are in relationship with, it changes our relationships.

Is there a close relationship in your life that is feeling strained these days? Do you offer approval and unconditional love of that person even when the behavior present may need to be addressed?

Many husbands and wives feel the un-approving glance of their spouse. Many children and teens struggle for the approval of their parents and often go about looking for their attention in all the wrong ways. In-laws and friends can feel that cold shoulder when they have done things differently than we would have.

• Thank God today for His approval of you, as an individual, and for His unconditional love for you. Thank Him for His loving guidance that propels you back to His ways when you slip away.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give you unconditional love for the one in your strained relationship. Ask Him to reveal to you the good within that person that you can wholeheartedly approve of.
• Pray for wisdom and understanding in finding help to address behavior that needs to be changed.