“Remember that I don’t need anyone’s approval to be happy.”

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 432). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

This is such an important fact to remember. Happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy. But so many people live in such despair because they are looking to please someone who is unpleasable. It is impossible to please some people. And that is their problem not yours.

Rick says, “It is a fact of life that on our broken planet filled with broken people, there will always be those who will demean how you look, dislike what you do, disapprove of what you believe, dispute what you say, and disrespect who you are. But they cannot control your emotions unless you let them. Disapproval doesn’t have to devastate you.”

I love this verse in Psalm 27: 10 (NLT). “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”

Does that comfort you today? Is that what you needed to hear? Well God loves you and He will never turn His back to you. You can reject Him but there is nothing that you can do to make Him quit loving you. So connect with Him.

As Rick says, “If you are looking to any human being to either make you happy or keep you happy, you are going to be disappointed eventually. No human being has the capacity to meet all your needs and keep you constantly happy. Only God can meet all your needs. No person has the ability to give you all the security, approval, acceptance, and love you need, regardless of what they may promise you. If you expect them to meet needs that only God can meet, you are being unfair to them, you are setting them up for failure, and you are setting yourself up to become bitter.” So put your trust in His love. He will never let you down.

Why not do it today?

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