Getting Past What Others Say: How to Stop Seeking Approval and Keep Growing

Be careful of those who only want to remember you “when” (you can fill in the blanks).

Some people want you to remain the way they remember you. Too often, if we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of pleasing others and, in the process, lose sight of who we are becoming.

There are decisions we make in our lives every day, and learning how to respond to the opinions of others is important. The sooner we recognize that we cannot live our lives trying to satisfy everyone else’s expectations, the better.

Let’s take a moment to discuss getting past what they say.

Who Are the “They” in Your Life?

Can you honestly answer this question: Who are the “they” in your life?

You know, the ones we often refer to when we say, “They say…”

Why do we place so much emphasis on what they say?

Are their opinions influencing you for the better? Are they helping you grow? Are they changing who you are in ways that you are genuinely proud of?

When we place too much value on someone else’s opinion, we can unintentionally give that person more influence over our lives than we should.

If we are not careful, we can begin treating their approval as though it is more important than God’s direction for us.

We have to recognize the difference between listening to wise counsel and allowing someone else’s opinion to become the deciding factor in our lives.

Don’t Allow Opinions to Change Your Convictions

We all form opinions about different things, but our opinions are not always based on facts or a complete understanding of a situation.

Every day, we are surrounded by messages, conversations, and outside influences. If we are honest, these things can affect how we think, what we believe, and even the decisions we make.

There are times when we may have too many voices influencing our choices, and we can make mistakes along the way.

The important lesson is recognizing when we have allowed someone else’s opinion to change how we see things.

Perhaps we have even allowed those opinions to influence our convictions.

Take a moment to consider whether you are making decisions based on what you genuinely believe or simply responding to what someone else has said.

There is a difference.

Allow Yourself to Grow Beyond What Others Remember

Those who genuinely care about you should be able to recognize that growth is a part of life.

There will be people who celebrate your progress, and there may be others who struggle to accept the changes they see in you.

Sometimes, growing pains reveal who genuinely supports you and who may prefer that you remain exactly where you were.

There is always room for growth in each of our lives. It becomes our mistake when we allow someone else’s opinion to hinder that growth.

Too often, you may hear statements such as:

“I can only see you doing…”

“I can’t see you doing that.”

“That’s not who you are.”

But who says you cannot grow beyond what someone else remembers about you?

Decide not to allow these voices to keep you from moving forward. Stay determined, continue learning, and be willing to embrace the person you are becoming.

Some individuals may only remember who you were rather than recognize who you are today.

And that’s okay.

You do not have to remain in someone else’s memory of you.

When God Is Changing Your Circumstances

If you have prayed for God to change your circumstances and remove what needs to be removed, remember that the process may not always be comfortable.

Sometimes, as God answers our prayers, we experience changes that require us to make difficult decisions, establish boundaries, or move beyond relationships and situations that we once considered acceptable.

That can be painful.

However, we must be willing to recognize when it is time to grow beyond what we have become accustomed to.

You cannot allow yourself to remain comfortable with what God is leading you to move beyond simply because someone else prefers the familiar version of you.

Develop the confidence to keep growing, even when others do not understand your decisions.

You will not always receive everyone’s approval for the choices you make. But ultimately, as a believer, your life should be guided by your relationship with God, His direction, and your willingness to follow Him.

Examine This Moment

Take a moment to consider the voices that have been influencing your life.

Are you allowing someone else’s opinion to determine what you believe you can accomplish?

Have you delayed making a decision because you were concerned about what others might say?

Are you holding on to an old version of yourself because someone else is more comfortable with who you used to be?

Perhaps it is time to get past what they say.

There is room for wise counsel, constructive feedback, and correction. But there must also be room for growth, change, and the opportunity to become who God is calling you to be.

Don’t spend your life trying to win everyone’s approval.

Take it to God. Seek His direction. Remain teachable, stay true to your convictions, and keep moving forward.

You are not required to remain who others remember. You have the opportunity to keep growing into who God is calling you to become.

Take a moment. Examine this moment.

And remember, what they say does not have to determine where you go next.

Let’s continue to take moments together.

Don’t let anyone or anything make you believe you are stuck.

There is always another way.
Keep pressing on and find it.
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter/ Pinterest / TikTok / YouTube