Do Your Closest Friends Have Your Approval?

How Do You Let Others Know That They Meet Your Approval?

Maybe Telling Them Is a Good Place to Begin!

Approval Defined: Building Up or Affirming another; affirming both the fact and the importance of a relationship based on who that person is to you not just what they have done for you.

How Do You Meet the Need for Approval?

1. Tell them how important they are to you
2. Include them in decision-making, if appropriate
3. Speak positively about their character and attributes to others
4. Let them be with you during significant times – when possible
5. Brag on them while they can see and hear it – appropriately

What happens when the need for Approval is Met?

1. The person feels they are important to you
2. Approval lets them know they are valued
3. They will enjoy being with you more often
4. They will be encouraged to maintain good character
5. They will be motivated to be in relationships with those who display good character

What if Approval is not met?

If important people in your life don’t know that you approve of my life, they may seek approval elsewhere. Too often being approved and affirmed by others may become more important than what you think, Realizing that I don’t have the approval from people important to me may also result in my inability or unwillingness to understand how God’s approval comes to me. ( I know that not all behavior is worthy of being approved. That too must be addressed in a mature, caring way.)

How does Jesus’ life illustrate Approval?

1. He was approved by His Father at His baptism (his life not just a specific action; Matthew 3:17
2. Jesus approved of the Roman centurion for his faith – illustration of His character – the Centurion valet what Jesus did showing good character. Matthew 8:8-10
3. Jesus met the need for approval in His disciples by giving them authority and power
4. He approves of us and values our relationship with Him giving forgiveness, promises, and staying true to us finishing what He starts. Hebrews 13:5-6
5. Ephesians 5:1,2 and 8-10 let us know that we are to “find out what pleases the Lord” and what it is that pleases Him!

Would you communicate approval to others in some of the following ways?

1. Text or call a spouse, child, grandchild, just to tell them how glad you are to have them in your life?
2. Would you include another to be with you in a special trip or event to let them know you are proud to be with them?
3. Perhaps, write a letter or a journal of how you see their character developing into a place of maturity and responsibility; give them the journal or letter to keep
4. Call them occasionally to see how they are and tell them how much you love them and are glad to be their husband, dad, granddad, friend, etc.

You and I are valuable to God. How do you know? How has He shown you? How can you show approval to others? Sooner is better than later; and as long as that person is living, it is never too late to begin.