Unfortunately, throughout life we experience insults, failures, betrayals, disappointments, and other negative experiences that challenge our own self-worth. They leave us searching for evidence of our value again. They leave us longing for validation.
Some may look for this validation in relationships, careers, material possessions, or even the number of “followers” we have on twitter. John chapter four speaks of a woman, a woman who had had five husbands, looking to draw water from a well. To her surprise she discovered a “living” water that could quench her thirst indefinitely. Unknowing she was standing before a man who could adequately fill her deepest voids. Her true Validator was staring right at her.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13,14 NIV
There is an analogy I often use, if you’ve ever tried drinking juice while you’re really thirsty you know that it only soothes you for a short time. Almost as soon as you swallow the nagging need for water quickly returns. The true problem is not this need for validation; it’s how we choose to fill it. Constantly consuming “juice”, the superficial validation we find in popularity, material possession, and relationships, will leave you worn out from chasing the quick fix it brings. But Christ offers not only water but living water that can fill your needs indefinitely. He will heal you where you’re broken. Only He can fill your empty spaces. God is greater than your deepest voids. He loves and protects us. He gives you value. Only He can validate...
Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done: He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Psalm 37:5-6 MSG
-Paige A. Henry
Paige is a clinical therapist who works with adjudicated youth in Detroit, MI and a singer/songwriter. Check out her music at www.sydneyandpaige.com or follower her on twitter @paigeahenry
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