Don’t Let the Fear of Rejection Keep You Quiet
By Rick Warren
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV).
The fear of rejection is the main reason most Christians don’t share their faith with other people. We’re afraid of what others will think. God has given us Good News, yet we’re scared to share it. We worry that our friends will reject us or that people will think we’re fanatics or “Jesus freaks.”
So how do we overcome the fear of rejection? We do it by putting God in first place, and that helps us understand our place in God’s family and allows us to view the opinions of others with an eternal perspective.
Have you been looking to other people to meet a need that only God can satisfy? Have you been living to please the wrong person? Watch out! You’re headed for trouble. God wants to be your light and your salvation. He offers his love, acceptance, and approval. He knows everything about you, and he still loves you. Jesus Christ paid for your sins so you can be forgiven and acceptable to God.
I encourage you to simplify your life by saying, “I’m going to concentrate on God’ approval. That’s what counts. I want my life to be pleasing to him. At the end of my life, I want to stand before God and hear him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
The Bible says there is only one way to get God’s approval: by accepting his love and what he’s done for us. We trust our lives to him. If you’ve never done that, you can right now by praying, “God, I want to switch the focus of my life from living for the approval of other people to living for your approval alone. I put my faith in you and trust what Jesus Christ has done for me. I commit my life to you.” (If you just prayed this prayer, please let me know by writing rick@pastorrick.com.)
If you’re already a Christian, then who do you know who needs to hear about the love of Jesus Christ? Who can you invite to church this week? Don’t let your fear of rejection keep your friends from hearing the greatest news in the world.
Make this your commitment today: “I want to live for an audience of one and be pleasing only to God.”
Play today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- What are some possible consequences for our friends if we let the fear of rejection keep us from sharing the Gospel or inviting them to church?
- If you feel unworthy of God’s love, how do you need God’s help in changing your perspective of his grace?
- What is something you believe God wants you to do that the fear of rejection has kept you from doing? Talk to God about it.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.