Do you seek approval from others?

What is it in our human nature that causes us to desire to be affirmed, noticed and extolled, by our fellow human beings?

It seems like whenever we do something, we look for feedback from others. What is in the praise of others that we find so desirable? 

If only our greatest desire was to please God.

We know it's true, we do this, because it has been written about. Take Saint Teresa's prayer, in "Mother Teresa Meditations from a Simple Path," for example:

"Deliver me, O Jesus, 

From the desire of being loved, 

From the desire of being extolled, 

From the desire of being honored, 

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred, 

From the desire of being consulted, 

From the desire of being approved, 

From the desire of being popular."

This beautiful prayer that helps us achieve humility--or at least contemplate it--has a second part, that also speaks directly to what might potentially paralyze us:

Continuing, "Deliver me, O Jesus,

From the fear of being humiliated,

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being ridiculed

From the fear of being suspected

I encourage you to spend some quiet time today with this prayer and allow it to speak to you, breaking through all pride and hesitation, so that you can be free to serve Jesus wherever he sends you. 

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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