“Caring too much about what people think of us, or living afraid of mere men, is a dangerous trap that always ends poorly. But trusting the LORD gives us both what we crave and need the most—safety, in the very best sense.” (Paraphrase of Prov. 29:25)
Dear Jesus, at times we give people (or they seize it) more influence, power, and control over our hearts than they deserve. When this happens, all kinds of broken relational styles result. When people seem more important and bigger to us than you do, it impacts everything about us: How we see ourselves and spend our days. What we think, feel, and choose. How we sleep, eat, and stress.
Through the truth and grace of the Gospel, Jesus free us from two extremes: Giving people the power to shape, shame, and shut us down. Or to thrill, complete, or fill us up. No one deserves that much sway over us.
Who have we unwittingly (or willingly) allowed to emotionally replace you? Whether it’s a parent or spouse, kids or friends, colleagues or bosses—people are salvation-less saviors. For good and eternal reasons, Abba put a “Jesus-shaped-vacuum” in our hearts only you can fill. Keep us restless until we rest in you for the first or 117th time, Lord Jesus. And give us wisdom moving forward, for relationships are complex and loving well always generates pain.
If caring too much about what people think of us is co-dependent and being an “approval-suck,” not caring “diddly-squat” what people think of us is selfish-indifference, sub-human, or borderline narcissism. To care most about what you say and think of us, Jesus—and to live from your love in our easiest and hardest relationships—that is true freedom. That’s what we really want, Jesus. So Very Amen.
