October 9th, 2025
Thursday, October 9th
Approved by God, Not Food Lion
By: Sheila Sonon
Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “but test everything; hold fast what is good.” Sounds simple—until you stop and ask, “Okay, but what exactly is the definition of good?”
So, I did what any modern believer does: I asked my friend Google and she replied, “Good: to be desired or approved of.” But I asked myself—whose approval am I chasing? For too long, it was family, friends, even strangers in the grocery store. (Including the cashier at Food Lion who gave me side-eye for buying three Ben & Jerry’s pints. Don’t judge me, ma’am—they were on sale 3 for $10!)
That constant approval-chasing? Exhausting and here’s the kicker: Satan is the king of lies and deception. He’d love for me to believe that if people aren’t happy with me, then God isn’t either. That’s why Paul’s words matter—test everything. Don’t swallow every thought or opinion. Discernment is about measuring everything against God’s Word, because Scripture is truth in a world full of counterfeits.
Today, my focus is different. I crave God’s approval. Sometimes I get tripped up and I worry, “Am I doing this right? Does God look at me with pride, or is He up there with His holy head in His hands going, ‘Oh child… again?’ I asked a friend recently, “Do you think God is happy with me?” Their reply stuck: “God knows your heart. He knows you love Him and honor Him—so yes, He’s happy with you.”
That answer matters because it lines up with what Scripture tells us about God’s character—He is good. Not just “Google good,” but eternally good. When I cling to Him, I’m safe from the lies of the enemy. Honestly, that’s better than any approval any person or the Food Lion cashier could ever give me.
Approved by God, Not Food Lion
By: Sheila Sonon
Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “but test everything; hold fast what is good.” Sounds simple—until you stop and ask, “Okay, but what exactly is the definition of good?”
So, I did what any modern believer does: I asked my friend Google and she replied, “Good: to be desired or approved of.” But I asked myself—whose approval am I chasing? For too long, it was family, friends, even strangers in the grocery store. (Including the cashier at Food Lion who gave me side-eye for buying three Ben & Jerry’s pints. Don’t judge me, ma’am—they were on sale 3 for $10!)
That constant approval-chasing? Exhausting and here’s the kicker: Satan is the king of lies and deception. He’d love for me to believe that if people aren’t happy with me, then God isn’t either. That’s why Paul’s words matter—test everything. Don’t swallow every thought or opinion. Discernment is about measuring everything against God’s Word, because Scripture is truth in a world full of counterfeits.
Today, my focus is different. I crave God’s approval. Sometimes I get tripped up and I worry, “Am I doing this right? Does God look at me with pride, or is He up there with His holy head in His hands going, ‘Oh child… again?’ I asked a friend recently, “Do you think God is happy with me?” Their reply stuck: “God knows your heart. He knows you love Him and honor Him—so yes, He’s happy with you.”
That answer matters because it lines up with what Scripture tells us about God’s character—He is good. Not just “Google good,” but eternally good. When I cling to Him, I’m safe from the lies of the enemy. Honestly, that’s better than any approval any person or the Food Lion cashier could ever give me.
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