“… the core of the false self is the belief that my value depends on what I have, what I can do and what others think of me.” –The Gift of Being Yourself
There is no safety in constantly trying to please people. We could do our very best and it still won’t be enough. We could constantly worry about how other people would react and still be misjudged and even condemned. The opinion of others is a constantly changing sea that could turn against you anytime.
Who could possibly know the depths of one’s own soul to judge it? Who could possibly fathom the life of another so fully as to render one’s opinion beyond any question or doubt?
Only God sees us fully and truly for who we really are. Only God knows the depths of our souls, and the inner cries and joys of our hearts.
If we try to please men, we risk losing our very own souls. But if we try to please God, we are assured of the Grace to be able to accomplish our goodwill. In Him only are we safe. In Him is a foundation that could never be taken down.
“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.” – Proverbs 29:25
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"