Reflecting the KING in Approval and Affirmation

The MEN of INFLUENCE: TRANSFORMATION THROUGH MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS

God’s approval and affirmation is an important and often overlooked aspects of our spiritual lives. We are all created in the image of God, and as such, we are all worthy of his approval and affirmation. Unfortunately, many of us have grown up without the approval and affirmation of a father figure, leaving us feeling unworthy and undeserving of such love and attention. This feeling of being overlooked and undervalued can be difficult to overcome, but God’s approval and affirmation can help us to feel worthy and accepted. The Bible speaks of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:17, which reads, “Suddenly there came a voice from heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” This passage speaks of God’s approval and affirmation of Jesus, and is a reminder that we too are worthy of such love and acceptance. The NLT translation of this passage reads, “This is my dearly loved son, in whom brings me great joy.” The amplified version reads, “My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, and I’m delighted.” These translations speak of the pleasure, gratification, satisfaction, and delight that God feels for us. In the podcast, Tim talks about his own upbringing, which included a stepfather who was addicted to heroin and a biological father who was in prison most of his life. He speaks of the lack of encouragement, support, and affirmation he received from his father figures, and how it was not until later in life that he began to be mentored and supported by someone else. This is a reminder of how important it is to receive affirmation and understanding from those around us, especially from those in authority.

Unfortunately, many Christian men struggle to believe that they have good standing with God. This is often due to feelings of guilt and shame, and the belief that God’s love and approval are directly correlated to our behavior. We may feel like an angel one minute and the devil the next, and this can lead to a roller coaster of emotions. It is important to remember that God’s love and approval are not directly correlated to our behavior. We are loved and accepted even if we fall short.

This lack of affirmation can also lead to a need to impress people, to prove that we are worthy of love and acceptance. We may try to do this through wealth, over achievement, or seeking validation through social media. This is a sign that we are not secure in our own self-worth, and it can lead to feelings of emptiness and pain. It is only when we truly believe that God’s love is unconditional that we can begin to accept our own worth and love ourselves.

Main points:

God approves and affirms us. God's love is unconditional. God is our Father and supporter. Believe in what God says about you.