""We all want someone to think we’re sensational. We desire to be recognized, to be valued, to be respected. To be loved. Yet this natural yearning too often turns into an idol of one of God’s most precious gifts: love itself. If you, like so many of us, spend your time and energy trying to earn someone’s approval—at work, home, and church—all the while fearing that, at any moment, the facade will drop and everyone will see your hidden mess . . . then love may have become an idol in your life. In this poignant and hope-filled book, Jennifer Dukes Lee shares her own lifelong journey of learning to rely on the unconditional love of God. She gently invites us to make peace with our imperfections and to stop working overtime for a love that is already ours. Love Idol will help us dismantle what’s separating us from true connection with God and rediscover the astonishing joy of a life full of freedom in Christ.""
All too often I worry about what everyone thinks of me. I am afraid to mess up and have people look at me and think; "Wow, she is not the christian she claims to be." or "She is such a hypocrite.". Even now I struggle with my desire for the world's approval, the church's approval and my family's approval. I have become so consumed with the fear of losing that approval that I have become miserable.
I often saw other christians and thought: "I wish I had it as together as they do." I now realize I am the only one holding myself back. I am starting to truly long for God's approval because in the scope of eternity, His approval is all that matters. It is not an easy task. I still struggle with wanting approval from others and often wonder what is wrong with me. After reading Jennifer Dukes Lee's book, I realized I wasn't the only one struggling. I had thought I might give this book away after I was done reading it but I started underlining so many sentences and paragraphs in the book that I decided I might need this for future reference, like next week or tomorrow.
I will gladly lend this to anyone who desires to read it and we can pray for each other in this lifelong battle. Once I decided that I wasn't going to worry about what the world had to say I physically felt a weight lift off of me. There are moments when I feel it start to press down on me again and I have to immediately pray for God's help. Thank God! He is there when I need Him. I need only live for Him and not for anyone else. It is so freeing.
I have often thought of idols as physical things, like a person, tv, money, homes, or cars. But now I realize it can be anything we set our hearts on. Anything we desire more than God. Such as love. What's wrong with love? Nothing as long as it is a Godly love, a pure unconditional love not a worldly love which is conditional and based on our performance. We will never live up to human standards. Yes, God has higher standards but He is also much more forgiving. He loved us before we were us. Before He created the world. Before He sent His Son to die for us. In spite of all the sin in our lives, He loves us! Praise God He loves us. Regardless of our performance, He will always love us. Now isn't that the approval you would rather strive for?
Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.
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