Stop Living for the Approval of the Harshest Judge
A practical Christian study of “Stop Living for the Approval of the Harshest Judge,” with clear application for faith, relationships, and everyday life.
The Russian Judge
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
See the people in front of you
Now, when you get to the month of February, you don't have to reinvent the wheel and come up with a whole new set of goals, and you don't need to mound on all kinds of baggage to make it harder. Whether it's setting a budget or daily exercise or time with family, just keep it going in February.
If you're able to stay consistent throughout the year, by the end of the year, all of those rungs go into the ladder if God has kept the sides in place and you're on a whole nother level.
What gets in the way
They may give you a little tough love, be honest and straight with you, but they're doing it because they believe the best in you and they see so much potential and you know that to be true, so you're drawn to them and you listen to them. Okay, here is the humongous however in today's episode where we finally zero in on our topic.
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but there are probably people in your life, maybe even very close to you in your life, who are not encouragers.
A more loving response
There may be people in your life who correct you, who criticize you, or even condemn you, but you know that they love you, and they're being fair, and they want things to be good, and so you listen to them. He is operating from jealousy or anger or some party spirit that really has nothing to do with you.
Now it might be that you have no idea what I'm talking about, and there is no one in your life like that.
Practice this with others
If someone is unduly and irrationally positive, I acknowledge it internally as probably a little bit over the top, but I also treasure it in heart because if I could believe in myself as much as that person believes in me, the sky would truly be the limit. When you're getting feedback on something that you're doing from more than one person, even if it's people who all love you, take more stock in the answers in the middle, in the consistent feedback that you're getting, not in the extremes, especially the extreme negative, which is probably coming from the wrong place.
It should be totally obvious, but there's something about extreme feedback that just sticks.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “Stop Living for the Approval of the Harshest Judge” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.