“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 (MSG)

Anyone who has ever tried to do anything great has, at some point, come face-to-face with naysayers—people who tried to convince you that your dream or goal wasn’t worth going after.

• When the Wright brothers tried to fly their first plane, people told them it would never work, because humans can’t fly.

• When Moses led the Israelites across the desert, the people complained, “We’re going to die! We want to go back to Egypt!”

• When John F. Kennedy said the US would send a man to the moon, many people said it could never be done.

If these people had let the naysayers discourage them, imagine where the world would be today!

While some naysayers have bad intentions, not all naysayers are bad people. Some may truly want what’s best for you. They may even love you.

But they’re not God. 

So don’t treat their opinions like you would God’s opinions.

The Bible says, “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that” (Proverbs 29:25 MSG).

Some of you have been held back by the opinions of others, and you don’t even realize it. Others have become addicted to the approval of others.

But consider another translation of Proverbs 29:25: “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe” (GNT).

Other people’s opinions can sidetrack you from God’s purpose for your life.

When you give more weight to the opinions of others than you do to God’s opinion, you stay on the sidelines when God wants you in the game. You stay locked up in a prison of self-made fear.

Don’t let that happen.

Let go of your fears and trust God’s vision for your life—it’s bigger and better than anything you could dream up on your own. God is your biggest cheerleader, and he’ll supply everything you need to do what he’s planned for you. He wants you to succeed, and he’s working in your life to make it happen.