The Weekly Challenge: Pastor’s wife admits to lifelong addiction

The truth is I am scared to start a blog on being brave. This is how I know God has a sense of humor. He loves to ask us to serve or minister in the very area we need the most help with.  

My fear is due to a lifelong addiction I have been hiding. Confessing this addiction will be my first act of bravery. So here goes…

Hi, my name is Leah and I am addicted to approval. Yes, I am a true blue people pleaser.

Nothing makes me feel better than a nice cocktail made of complements, praise, and flattery poured over high 5’s and hugs. I long for it, I dream about it and I can’t get enough of it. I got my first  taste as a little girl. People were easier to please then, all I had to do was sing the Texas state song for my Grandparents, dress up like a princess, or hug my daddy. As I got older, I realized I had do things I didn’t want to in order to get the approval I needed. By the time I hit High School, I hardly knew who I was anymore because I had given so much of myself away…. all in the name of approval.

There it is, my secret is out. I am however, pleased to say that have been working hard to overcome my habit. I have come a long way since high school, thanks to my precious Savior and my awesome husband.

Unfortunately, I am not yet approval free. I worry, what if this blog doesn’t work? What if it doesn’t inspire us/you to live full force for Jesus? What if I drop the ball and I don’t follow thru? Worst of all, what if you hate it? Can I deal with all that rejection?

My best friend says I can. He says that the only approval I need comes from Him. He says that as long as I am following Him and His will, everything else will fall into place. I trust him completely, so today I am poking my head out of my safe little turtle shell, opening my mouth and asking all of you to join me on my quest for bravery.

My  Challenge for this week is to trade my people pleasing ways for Jesus pleasing ones.

What will your Weekly Challenge be? What are you afraid of that God is leading you to overcome? Ecclesiastes 4:12 says though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Will you join me? Together with Christ as our fearless leader, we can overcome the fear, anxiety, worry and depression that Satan uses against us.