PEOPLE

We all care.
Most of us like to say we do not really care what anyone thinks about us but truth is that deep down we really do. It's just that some of us have slowly been sucked into approval addiction while some have gradually realized that it really shouldn't matter that much so we try not to let others' opinions sway us. All the same, even those of us who claim not to care actually want everyone to believe that we are unmoved by their opinions so really, it's a big deal.

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They are the best and the worst you've created

Loving and hating and opinionated

Loners in basements and those congregated

Deliver me...

Far from the peace, from ashore I was sinking

Deep in the ocean of thoughts they were thinking

Don't know what  validation I was seeking

Deliver me from...

I believe there's nothing wrong with caring about opinions. Because sometimes we're able to change our lives' direction for the better because we listened to someone whose opinion matters to us. The problem starts when that one person's opinion becomes all we care about. Or when everyone's opinion becomes all we're basing or lives on.

People, people

When You said You could heal me from many things

Did  You mean-

People, people

Deliver me...

Then we realize that we can't ever be truly honest with anyone- even those we call our friends because we're afraid of what they'll think. We can't let go of toxic relationships because "what will everyone say?" or she/he will start thinking we're not nice people- and it's really important that we stay nice in their eyes. Or is it?
We realize that we're so attached to one person or the other that we let our joy literally depend on their presence in our lives. And their approval? It's gold.

She was the reason I smiled in the morning

He took the last bit of joy I was storing

That's too much power for anything human 

Deliver me from...

The truth is that only God should have that much hold over us. In fact, He should have all that we are. (Col 3:23). 

All that we do should be done as unto Him.

Proverbs 29:25 reminds us that the fear of man is a snare. Imagine how much we allow ourselves to be held hostage based on how much value we place on people's opinion. Yet we have a God who is always with us,always for us. One who will not let anything separate us from His love(Rom 8:31-39). We're forever accepted in His eyes because of Christ but we choose to place more value on flawed humans just like ourselves. So we keep falling apart over and over again, wondering why we can't ever be good enough.

As easy as it is to place blame on one person or the other for our brokenness, the truth is that sometimes we are the ones who keep breaking those around us. Every sarcastic comment, every instance of backbiting, that mocking kind of laughter, the belittling of their tiniest efforts, that judgmental look when we feel like we're doing this life thing better than them...the list is endless. All those things make our fellow men feel small.

So as we ask God to heal us from people let's also pray that He searches our hearts. That He forgives us for breaking others in our state of brokenness. And that He helps us do better, be better in every way for His glory.

Inspired by: People

Artist/Band: Jonathan McReynolds