There comes a moment in the life of every believer when something begins to shift. It doesn’t always happen suddenly or dramatically, but over time it becomes impossible to ignore. As your faith deepens and your walk with Christ becomes more real, the relationships around you begin to change.
People who once felt close may grow distant. Conversations that once came easily begin to feel different. Some friendships fade quietly, while others seem to pull away altogether. And if you’re honest about it, that change can hurt more than you expected.
Recently, I found myself in the middle of one of those moments. I’ve been pouring countless hours into this journey—writing, building my website, creating content, and sharing what God has placed on my heart. Naturally, there’s a part of me that longs for something simple. Not praise or applause, and not even agreement. Just acknowledgment. Just to know that someone sees the effort, sees the growth, and sees the direction I’m heading.
But more often than not, what I’ve experienced is silence.
There might be a brief comment here or there—something quick and surface-level—but beyond that, it can feel like speaking into an empty room. And that silence has a weight to it. It lingers longer than expected and presses deeper than it should.
In moments like that, something subtle begins to happen. The heart drifts. Without realizing it, comparison starts to creep in. You begin to notice what others are supporting, what they are celebrating, and who they are paying attention to. You see people encouraging and lifting up strangers while overlooking someone they know.
That’s where the danger begins.
Jealousy doesn’t arrive loudly—it settles in quietly. Discouragement follows close behind. And before long, you find yourself in a place you never intended to go. It becomes a reminder of something important: the heart is still a battlefield.
Scripture speaks directly into this struggle:
“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? … If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10
That question is not easy to answer honestly. It forces you to look beneath the surface and examine your motives. It reveals whether your actions are driven by purpose or by the desire for recognition.
So I did what I’ve learned to do when things don’t feel right. I stopped and prayed.
The answer that came wasn’t surprising, but it was convicting.
I realized I had been listening for applause from people when I should have been listening for the voice of God. I had been looking for validation in places that were never meant to provide it. And in doing that, I had slowly shifted my focus away from the mission itself.
Then something else came to mind—something that reframed everything.
Jesus spoke about leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one that was lost:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep… does not leave the ninety-nine… and go after the one that is lost?” — Luke 15:4
That changed my perspective completely.
The ninety-nine are already safe. They don’t need to be pursued. But the one—the one who is hurting, searching, or struggling—that is where the focus belongs.
In that moment, I understood something I had overlooked. My mission is not to impress a crowd, gain recognition, or be validated by people who are already comfortable. My mission is to reach the one who needs it most. The person who stumbles across a message and realizes they are not alone. The one who finds encouragement, strength, or truth in the middle of their own struggle.
That is the audience.
That is the assignment.
And when that becomes clear, everything else begins to fall into place.
It also brings another important truth into focus—one that is easy to forget. Jesus Himself was rejected.
“He was despised and rejected by men…” — Isaiah 53:3
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” — John 15:18
If even Christ was not accepted by everyone, then expecting universal approval is not only unrealistic—it’s misplaced.
That realization brings you to a crossroads.
One path leads toward seeking approval, chasing validation, and measuring success by how people respond. The other leads toward obedience, faithfulness, and purpose. One is driven by recognition. The other is driven by calling.
And the choice between them becomes clear.
As I continued reflecting, I began to see the direction ahead more clearly. The work I’ve been doing—building a website, creating content, preparing for a podcast—is not about gaining attention. It’s about creating a place where truth can be shared consistently and intentionally. A place where conversations can happen, where faith can be explored, and where people can find something real in a world full of noise.
There is still a lot of work ahead. That hasn’t changed. But neither has the source of strength needed to do it.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” — Colossians 3:23
That verse brings everything back into alignment. It shifts the focus away from people and back toward God.
So the mission remains the same.
Keep building.
Keep writing.
Keep speaking.
Keep planting seeds.
Not for recognition. Not for approval. But for something far greater.
Because in the end, success is not measured by numbers, attention, or response. It is measured by impact. If even one person is encouraged, strengthened, or drawn closer to Christ, then the work matters.
Scripture gives us that reminder clearly:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good… for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
The results may not come immediately. They may not even be visible right away. But they will come.
And that is enough.
💭 Reflection
- Where am I seeking approval right now?
- Am I focused on the crowd—or the one?
- What is truly driving my actions?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, help me seek Your approval above all else. Guard my heart from comparison and discouragement. Teach me to remain faithful in the work You’ve given me, even when no one else sees it. Strengthen me to keep going, keep building, and trust that You are working in ways I cannot see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Jeffrey Trester
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