November 4

My first year in college I remember reading a book about the church being counterculture. It was a rather revolutionary thought to me, as well as deeply uncomfortable. As a recovering people pleaser, there have been many times when I thought, no I felt, that I needed the approval of everyone I met. I have great admiration for those of you who do not share this burden.

There is a large spiritual battlefield in healthcare today. I would love to say that doctors never let their personal beliefs influence their care, but that would be an obvious misrepresentation. Every staff member brings their own faith, whether another religion or science above all, into the conversation. It is the lens through which they see the world. None of our providers ever made me doubt that they had my daughter’s best interest at heart, but that doesn’t mean that we see eye to eye on what that means. Your Christian beliefs, and the application of them, may put you at odds with the professionals you rely on for healthcare.

It becomes important for us to assess whether or not we are trying to please man or God—in all aspects of life. It took me a great deal of time to realize that I was wrong to seek the approval of everyone. In fact, it can be a struggle not to fall back into that habit because it is more comfortable to “agree” with everyone in order to avoid conflict. However, as Christians we are not called to find ways to melt into culture. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, help me to see places in my life where I have conformed to the ways of the world. I want to put away the behaviors and thoughts of my former life. Guard my heart and mind from evil influences I may encounter today and give me the strength to follow you in all things. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.