Don’t Let the Fear of Rejection Keep You Quiet

Current Teaching Series How To Get Through What You're Going Through

Don't Let the Fear of Rejection Keep You Quiet By Rick Warren — May 18, 2017 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV). The fear of rejection is the main reason most Christians don’t share their faith with other people. We’re afraid of what others will think. God has given us Good News, yet we’re scared to share it. We worry that our friends will reject us or that people will think we’re fanatics or “Jesus freaks.” So how do we overcome the fear of rejection? We do it by putting God in first place, and that helps us understand our place in God’s family and allows us to view the opinions of others with an eternal perspective. Have you been looking to other people to meet a need that only God can satisfy? Have you been living to please the wrong person? Watch out! You’re headed for trouble. God wants to be your light and your salvation. He offers his love, acceptance, and approval. He knows everything about you, and he still loves you. Jesus Christ paid for your sins so you can be forgiven and acceptable to God. I encourage you to simplify your life by saying, “I’m going to concentrate on God’ approval. That’s what counts. I want my life to be pleasing to him. At the end of my life, I want to stand before God and hear him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” The Bible says there is only one way to get God’s approval: by accepting his love and what he’s done for us. We trust our lives to him. If you’ve never done that, you can right now by praying, “God, I want to switch the focus of my life from living for the approval of other people to living for your approval alone. I put my faith in you and trust what Jesus Christ has done for me. I commit my life to you.” (If you just prayed this prayer, please let me know by writing rick@pastorrick.com.)  If you’re already a Christian, then who do you know who needs to hear about the love of Jesus Christ? Who can you invite to church this week? Don’t let your fear of rejection keep your friends from hearing the greatest news in the world. Make this your commitment today: “I want to live for an audience of one and be pleasing only to God.” PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What are some possible consequences for our friends if we let the fear of rejection keep us from sharing the Gospel or inviting them to church? If you feel unworthy of God’s love, how do you need God’s help in changing your perspective of his grace? What is something you believe God wants you to do that the fear of rejection has kept you from doing? Talk to God about it.

Our Gift: How To Get Through What You're Going Through Study Kit Find the strength you need to get though life’s toughest trials! Loss is a part of life. But it’s in your seasons of suffering that God wants to lavish his incredible grace and mercy on you – and give you the true and lasting peace that only come from him. Pastor Rick and Kay Warren experienced the loss of their son, Matthew, whose 27-year battle with mental illness led to the tragic loss of his life. They’ve taken the lessons they learned through their own personal experiences with loss and suffering and created a resource that will help anyone navigating through a difficult season. In this six session DVD study kit Rick and Kay will share: • How to move forward when your world collapses • What to do when suffering doesn’t seem to make sense • Where to begin your search for the path to peace • How God uses your trials to transform you • Why the Lord often hides his greatest treasure in the darkness LEARN MORE

Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes eight full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series How To Get Through What You're Going Through. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Session 1: SHOCK — When Your World Collapses Session 2: SORROW — Getting Through Life’s Losses  Session 3: STRUGGLE — When Life Makes No Sense Session 4: SURRENDER — The Path To Peace Session 5: SANCTIFICATION — Transformed by Trouble Session 6: START SEEING — Finding Treasure in Darkness Session 7: SERVICE — Never Waste Your Pain PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe