Validation is an enormous part of our lives. It is an external recognition that the feelings we have or the actions we take are worthwhile. Community, as God intended it, often encourages people toward right living through validation. However, the desire for external validation can quickly become all-consuming and unhealthy. This week, Gary Wilkerson discusses how easily we slip into searching for worth in things other than God. Only God can validate our existence. Only he can give our lives real purpose and direction.
Key Questions from the Podcast
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What does it mean to have wellbeing?
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Why does a prosperous nation like the U.S. rank so low in its happiness?
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How does our search for happiness impact our relationships?
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What are good things to measure our sense of worth and happiness?
Notable Quotes from the Podcast
When we falsely build our life on the sand—money, fame, corporate success, applause, and pats on the back—it never fulfills. It’s never enough. It doesn’t meet the deeper needs of our heart. – Gary Wilkerson
Every sin is relational, so all obedience and holiness are relational as well—toward God and others. Love fulfills the law. – Gary Wilkerson
Life is not fame. It's love. Life is not power. It's generosity. Life is not selfish. It's giving myself away. Life is not Facebook likes. It's friendships. – Gary Wilkerson
Life is love. Life is grace. Life is generosity. Life is forgiveness. Life is community. Life is togetherness. Life is having close friends. Life is having a gift inside of you that you give to the world and use it well for the glory of God. – Gary Wilkerson
As Christians, we have something that psychology and self-help don't have—the source of love, life, grace, forgiveness, peace, joy, and contentment. Drink of Christ. – Gary Wilkerson
My whole life I realize I've defined success incorrectly. I've defined it as these selfish, powerful, ambitious things that aren’t successful at all. I started defining success differently, as being a man of love, grace, generosity, and peace. – Gary Wilkerson
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. – Romans 13:10
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22–23