Free Yourself from Others’ Opinion
How many of us are really free?
How many of us don’t care what someone else thinks of us?
So many people I see are prisoners of others’ opinions.
We want people to validate how we look, tell us how smart we are, and affirm our decisions. But at the end of the day, these opinions don’t matter.
What matters is what God thinks about us!
John 8:36 says “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” When we let go of others’ opinions and allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we will find true freedom!
1. Affirm yourself.
Start by affirming who you are in Christ. Remember, you are loved and valued by God! When you know your worth, it will be harder for others to control how you feel about yourself.
2. Set boundaries.
If someone is constantly making you feel bad about yourself, set some boundaries. Tell them that their opinion doesn’t matter and that you will not tolerate them putting you down. You have the right to define your own worth, regardless of what others say.
3. Find new friends
When we free ourselves from others’ opinions, it’s important to surround ourselves with people who will love and affirm us. Find new friends who will build you up, rather than tear you down!
4. Love yourself
It’s so important to love yourself! When you love yourself, you are less likely to care about what others think of you. You will be more confident in who you are and what you stand for.
So start by affirming who you are, setting boundaries with those who make you feel bad, and surrounding yourself with people who build you up.
Lastly, as we all have heard, “People have a right to their own opinion, and you have a right to ignore it.” So don’t let others control how you feel about yourself. Define your own worth, based on what God says about you!
Kevin R. Johnson, Ed.D.