During our adoption journey, one of my sister-in-laws said something like this, “Keep doing what God has called you to, even if you don’t get approval from others.”

It’s natural to crave confetti, fanfare and wild cheers when we are pursuing God-sized Dreams—at the very least a thumbs up, heart and like.

What happens when others don’t give us the response or the approval that we are hoping for?

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Do we hold it against them? Do we stop being interested in their dreams because they seem to have done that to us? Worse yet, do we withhold love because we feel unloved?

The other day I read the following passage:

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” –Matthew 5:46-47

I was convicted.

The Nature of His Heart:

Do I just love those who love me in return? Do I withhold who I am from those who misunderstand me?

I am not talking about entertaining toxic relationships or usurping healthy boundaries but I am referring to living more like Christ did.

He loved the lowly. He had compassion on those who had gone astray. He invested in those who did not understand His mission.

Jesus could have ignored those by the side of the road. He could have sent the crowds away. He could have written off those who were slow to grasp His calling. Yet, He stopped, He taught, He kept communicating. He served, He led by example, He stayed true to the mission that His Father had clearly given to Him.

Jesus does not withhold His love for us when He feels unloved by us.

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How many times have I been unloving and unresponsive to Christ’s heart?

What about you?

Getting to the Heart:

Do you have someone in your life that is hard to love?

Do your inner thoughts and big dreams feel unsafe with some of your treasured ones?

Do you withhold love from those who disagree with your convictions and disapprove of your decisions?

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:43-45a

A Change of Heart:

Dear God:
Help us to love as you love us. Forgive us for choosing to withhold love from others based on our need for approval. If we are in You, through Christ, then we are approved, and we can rest in that assurance.

It is hard to love those who disagree with us, especially enemies. But, we thank You for Your example to love the unlovable and to pray for those who persecute. Help us to be more like You and to grow in grace and godliness, for Your Glory.

Thank You for entrusting us with purposes to exalt Your Name. May we be faithful to take the next step with these God-given dreams, even when there are naysayers and negative feedback.

Expand our hearts to love as You do.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Shared by: Katie M. Reid