Overcome Approval Addiction by Living in Secret

[@BecomeNew]

QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: Think of one SECRET act of generosity you can do today. Don't tell us! (Because then it wouldn't be secret--duh). But if you have one in mind and you're committed to do it write this in the comments: "Count me in."

[@cathrynmazeika9569]

Count me in! Living in secret=freedom!

[@jodyprice3778]

Count me in 👍

[@lyddavetrov8176]

Count me in. My secret is safe with me. ; )

[@dmwl09]

Count me in!

[@sarahdavies7795]

Not sure how to do this but I'll try to think of something!

[@rayleneberryman7673]

I’m 67 but still the little girl who didn’t get affirmed cries out for a word of encouragement for what I have done. It is a challenge not to live out of that identity. Getting that ache ministered to by the Lord is my only hope of healing.

[@lindar.1223]

Freedom! Please Lord. Help me to grow spiritually and have freedom in You! No more acting more agreeable and being fearful of speaking my truth for a positive response, or fear of a negative one. Wow! This one hit home for me, a people pleaser. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@CindyHess-xh1su]

Count me in! Thank you John, powerful as always. Listening to you teach is God’s way of gently taking my face in his hands and turning it towards his way, just as my kids would do when they were little…blessings

[@user-vp1pv9ux3e]

Reminds me of Mother Teresa, …’it was never between you and them anyway’. If only I could live this truth but, I’m on my way with your help!

[@angieibarra3505]

❤❤ I love the power of secrecy, and allowing Holy Spirit to direct when calling me to bless someone in secret! It’s become something I see almost every morning. Who can I bless in secret today? Go God! Thank you, John.

[@lynngreen1138]

I vote for freedom. Help me develop a secret life for you Jesus💕

[@JeanneCorrigan-ej4le]

Count me in , love that feeling of freedom and keeping a secret only for Jesus ❤️

[@deannpype8882]

Count me in! I love how secret gifts make people light up and feel loved. THAT is a reward worth having. ❤️

[@user-ei6qx4sg9k]

SO vital for me to receive, & with God’s “opening of the eyes of my heart” kind of grace, - living this out! Also grateful that John addressed the dichotomy of in secret vs let your light shine.

[@jhanmole8717]

How very true are your words that our payoff from learning how to be secret is FREEDOM! It is a real eyeopener into an inner struggle that we become aware of when we practice to keep the secret. The me I want to become has to battle the me I didn't know I was (because it was so natural to seek approval). Thank you John.

[@debbieyoshida-qr4oe]

Count me in.

[@andreaholm6873]

My Scandinavian father would love this. 😊

[@rayfowler9765]

Real eye opener... seek intrinsic rewards lest we become as C.S. Lewis said, "far too easily pleased." John encourages everyone to make this a Golden Rule day by living for something else. That's difficult but not impossible... let's roll up our sleeves!

[@dianejohnson7194]

Count me in! And thank you John and team for these daily encouragements! Some hit hard! I so appreciate this ministry ❤

[@elaineh1041]

good morning ☀️ Ps John, honestly, you got the golden buzzer for the wisdom & encouragement as I journey & build my relationship with Jesus and others around me. I am humbled by your vast of knowledge. YAS! Freedom = peace! Total bucket list for me lol. My go to secret is to tell myself to be lazy in my negativity, not to waste brain space, energy, & effort. Kinda works most times…🙏🏻💕🍃

[@tomjennings8394]

Love John’s transparency.

[@lynnrickert1]

Count me in

[@surrendersong]

The power of secrecy...love it

[@josephbaffa3386]

Great message today! It's interesting that anonymity in this context can be freeing for sure, but too much secrecy in the rest of our lives can be so damaging and stunt growth. You know the quote that people have 3 lives . . . public, private and secret. In my "senior" years I am beginning to convert all my secrets to my private life where I share with my spouse or very close friends issues and challenges, and also the good I have done, so that there is transparency and freedom and as needed celebration. As discussed in the great book "Preparing for heaven" (What Dallas Willard taught me about life, dying and eternal life) Gary Black discusses Dallas' lessons on practicing transparency here on earth in preparation for heaven as there will be NO SECRETS in heaven. All this to say, you may want to consider using another word rather than secrets as it can have a negative connotation. So appreciate you and this ministry.

[@georgemckamey1688]

From a true, fellow addict when it comes to recognition, accolades and approval - and the exhausting striving to secure more and even more against the insatiability of approval’s diminishing returns - to be released and rewarded with freedom from seeking approval and recognition - to that I say: Amen and Amen!!!

[@SBowlin]

Count me in. This is so thought provoking. I had only heard 5 minutes of this yesterday, and I learned of an opportunity I may have to do something "good." I had a text all ready to send to a friend to tell her about it when I realized I was sharing it for that short term approval thing. I deleted it - but a part of me still really really wants to share it with her. This is a hard one, and thinking of it as an addiction frames it well for me.

[@user-iq4ih1nt7e]

Will do! Thanks, John, for this good Word!

[@rosedavis7477]

Count me in...I know this joy, it's priceless!

[@amyhenningsgard8618]

Love this!! Thank you🙏🏻📖✝️🕊️Count me in.🥰

[@larryharrison5036]

Love it, Dr Ortberg!

[@kaseyberg4022]

Count me in 💖

[@marilynscott1624]

Having been on the receiving side of things done ‘in secret’, I have valued ‘Anonymity’ also as ‘freeing’-I have no one to whom to feel indebted (not always a bad thing, I realize), but give praise and thanksgiving totally to my Father in heaven, who rewards far better than I could ever do and to Whom the ultimate glory goes!

[@peggysevre7211]

Your right, I want this!

[@ojibwayinca8487]

I'd love more teaching on this topic.

[@joanncampbell5839]

Count me in! 🤲

[@eliacuomo490]

Count me in!❤

[@SueBrown-ok5kw]

Count me in Christ Jesus ❣️

[@lisajones-tw8dc]

Count me in!

[@lorriegarcia3171]

Count me in! But could you speak a little bit on how to manage when one’s love language is words of affirmation. Like another commenter, I so hunger for them, especially from my husband who has great difficulty speaking words of affirmation. Jesus give me your grace and healing over this addiction.

[@brucebaker111]

Finding the right balance between confidence and humility is something I work on daily. Philippians 4:13 guides me by reminding me that my confidence comes from Christ’s strength, not my own. It’s not about boasting about my abilities but trusting in what God has given me. At the same time, humility reminds me that these gifts are from Him, not something I earned alone. When I lean too much on pride, I ask God to gently humble me. When I struggle with doubt, I remember He is with me, equipping me for whatever I face. Lord, help me walk in this balance, trusting in Your strength and remaining humble in Your grace. When I am weak, He is strong.

[@BecomeNew]

Yes. Our confidence comes from Jesus alone. - Brad

[@charmainneprinsloo5306]

Thank you John!

[@lizt.4845]

Count me in❣️

[@Surfingthroughtime]

I like this🎉

[@daniellemeadows8291]

❤

[@Brody.W]

Jesus Christ of Nazareth..

[@tomjennings8394]

Count me in.

[@shellyhickman5690]

Count me in

[@tracykamemoto4602]

❤

[@user-gt5gs3in4c]

Count me in

[@marybethkling9805]

Count me in

[@johndehnert4337]

Count me in.

[@user-rx3qm8mv6m]

Count me in ❤