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Only One Opinion Matters - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - December 10, 2023

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Only One Opinion Matters
By Rick Warren

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

If you’re not sure who you really are, then you can be manipulated and molded by the pressures, problems, and people around you—and that leads to stress!

Our culture is constantly trying to fit you into its mold. When you have a confused and unclear identity, when you don’t really know who you are, it makes you more vulnerable to the culture’s influence. Until you settle in your mind that God loves you unconditionally and that you’re a child of God, you’re going to be prone to stress.

Jesus never had any doubts about his identity. In fact, 18 times in Scripture he publicly declared who he was. These are called his “I am” statements, like, I am the Light of the World. I am the Son of God. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am the Bread of Life. Jesus made it clear that he knew exactly who he was.

In John 8:18, Jesus said, “I testify on my own behalf” (GNT). He didn’t need other people to tell him who he was. He didn’t look to others for validation.

When you depend on other people’s opinions for validation, you can’t be resilient to stress. Because if you don’t know who you are, then other people will decide it for you. They’ll force you into a mold, and you’ll get stressed trying to be someone you’re not. You’ll end up pretending and wearing a mask. It will wear you out!

Jesus knew he was the Light of the World. But he also said the same thing about you: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 NLT). Do you realize how special you are? Not because of what other people say but because of what God says. There’s nobody in the world exactly like you.

You must accept the truth about you—your strengths and your limitations and weaknesses. God made you with all of those things, and he has given you everything you need to do his will.

When you accept that, you’ll be secure in your identity and a lot less stressed.

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Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise

Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes

As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.

Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.

As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.

Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.

Thank you for your partnership!

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.


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