“Whose voice are you listening to?” That’s the question that landed on me the other day. And I can’t get away from it. Whose. Voice.

I’ve told you about my various idols over the years. My loudest, most obnoxious idol being brought to my attention lately: the need of man’s approval. Yep. It’s a thing. For years all my life I have looked to people to define me. Sure. That’s normal for a kid. But as a forty-ahem-something Jesus follower, that ain’t gonna cut it. Because looking to other short-sighted humans for our identity won’t work.

God Wants Freedom For Us

God has ever-so-kindly been crushing the idol of man’s approval in me. It’s been a process. A slow, drawn-out, am-I-ever-going-to-be-over-this process. But looking back over the last 6 months in particular, I can see growth. Yay to growth. I can see freedom being ushered in.

The other day, after spending too much time mentally obsessing over something someone said about me, a friend asked me this question. “Lara, whose voice are you listening to?” The words stopped my mental gymnastics in their ever-comparing tracks. Whose. Voice.

The First Step to Victory

Y’all. Comparing myself and listening to the voices of those around me has been a constant struggle. But it’s a struggle I’m now aware of. “Finally,” says everyone everywhere. And being aware of our struggle is the first step to victory. Praise Jesus.

So I’m keeping that question in front of me. When I sense fear or doubt or the comparison rut inviting my mind into a tailspin, I’ve been asking myself, “Lara, whose voice are you listening to?” Because God’s voice — with all of its infinite knowledge and incomparable love — produces life and courage…not discouragement and fear.

What God Says:

Daughter.
Precious one.
Righteous because of Jesus.
You are secure in My Father hands.
You are where I have you with purpose.
You can trust me.
Be the you I created you to be.
Live boldly out of the gifts I’ve given you.
Hold your head up and walk confident in Me.

Whose Voice are You Listening To?

So, I’ll leave you with the same question as you wrestle your own idols to the ground today. You’re welcome. Whose voice are you listening to?