I believe we were all created with a certain need for strokes, praise, and affirmation. It may come in many forms. For example, it may be given through a hug, a smile, a wink, a pat on the back, a compliment, or a financial raise. Approval is what children long for from their parents, students pursue from their teachers, athletes crave from their coach, employees seek from their boss, and husbands and wives desire from their mate.
While affirmation is what we give to condition good behavior, bad behavior is often the response of a lack of affirmation. Often, we seek approval from those who do not have the ability to give it, because you cannot give what you have never received. Real affirmation and validation can only, ultimately, come from the One who knows you better than you know yourself. It is the Creator who knows how to validate or disapprove His creation.
Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you…”
Practical Application and Assignments:
The words, “I believe in you” can be life-changing. Approval helps build a healthy self-image. A lack of affirmation, especially from parents or authority figures reinforces low self-esteem.
- Believe in people. Constant criticism is demoralizing. Instead of always looking for what everyone is doing wrong, try noticing what they are doing right. Finding ways to encourage, praise, compliment, and express your approval gives support and inspires incentive for greatness.
- Believe in yourself. Find positive affirmations in the Bible… I am an awesome spirit-being made in the image of God. I am a child of God! I am forgiven! I am loved! I am seated together with Christ in heavenly places! I am more than a conqueror!… Make this decree: “I am who, what, why, how, and where God says I am!”
“He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and approved by men.” Romans 14:18 (AMP)
