*The theme lately has been that of choosing joy!  It is so important to hold on to that joy and happiness in your heart.  I realize that it is sometimes hard to do, especially when people are pushing your buttons.

What I’d like you to accept is that your worth and value does not and will not come from the approval of others.  If that is how you have been functioning in life, is it any wonder that you often times feel defeated, depressed, and as if you can do nothing right?!

For every one person that is picking you apart, I wish there were four more that would come alongside you to encourage you.  While that will not always happen, it is important to know your worth and value so that these people and these situations do not tear you down and leave you in a pit of despair.

If you’ve gotten into “people pleasing,” that is the fastest way to make yourself unhappy.  In all of my years, I have learned that it is simply impossible to make everyone happy.  There will be those that LOVE your decisions and the way you’re living your life, and there will be those that can’t wait to voice their opinion or look down their noses at you as if they are better than you.   You know what?  They aren’t!

This is when you really need to look to scripture and let it all soak into every fiber of your being.  When in doubt, here are just a few verses to refer to:

 Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

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Song of Solomon 4:1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful!

Your eyes are doves behind your veil.

Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead.

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Proverbs 31:10  A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

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Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?

And not one of them is forgotten before God.

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

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As if that wasn’t enough to convince you, think of how God sent His one and only son to die on the cross for you and I.  Jesus bore all of our sins so that we may have eternal life if we only believe in Him and ask Him into our hearts.  Now THAT, my friend, is how much you were worth to our Lord and Savior that He would lay down His life for you.

Be discouraged no more.  Instead, be reassured of your worth and value, especially in the eyes of God.