“The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6 NLT).

Some of us have been disabled by the opinions of others and we don’t even realize it. In a sense, some of us have become addicted to the approval of others. When we give more weight to the opinions of others than we do to God’s opinion, we’ll stay on the sidelines when God wants us in the game. We’ll stay locked up in a prison of self-made fear.Other people’s opinions can sidetrack us from God’s purpose for our life.Don’t let that happen.

People can dislike us, and it won’t harm us. We don’t need anyone else’s approval to be happy. We’re as happy as we choose to be. We don’t need a parent’s approval, a brother’s approval, a sister’s approval, or some friend’s approval. The Lord is for us. We don’t have to be afraid. People have their opinions. 

If we try to do anything of value in life, naysayers will come our way. They might ridicule us, spread rumors about us, or even threaten us. When a naysayer comes our way, don’t head to a co-worker or a friend to gossip. Find strength in the Lord. Don’t focus on the naysayers. Don’t focus on our problems. Focus on God and his promises. Break the chains of fear and go after God’s vision for our life. He’s our biggest cheerleader. He wants us to succeed, and he’s working in our life. Focus on God’s opinion, not what others say. That’s what we need to do. Stop storing up in our mind all the negativity that comes our way. Instead, bank on the promises of God. And trust that he will do exactly what he says he will do.

Psalm 119:11a, “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart” (The Message).

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”Psalms‬ ‭118:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”1 Samuel‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬