Others' expectations can be difficult to live with, especially when they come from people we care about, like parents, siblings or even teachers. Even though it's hard to remember when you feel pressure all around you, there's only one Person whose approval really matters: God's. Thankfully, the way God measures "success" is much different than most of the people in your life (or maybe even you) define it.

Satan wants nothing more than to make you feel worthless, sis, because he knows it drives a wedge between you and God. Don't listen to his lies! Satan loves to blind us by emotions so that we forget the truth. Those emotions come from the thoughts we think, so let me ask you this: When you don't "feel" like you're valuable to others, what thoughts produce those emotions? (For example, "My mom just doesn't understand that I'm not an A student. Why is she so hard on me?" or "I should have taken first in that race. I'm just not good enough.") Write those thoughts down. Then, underneath them, write the truth of the situation or a Bible verse that contradicts those thoughts. Make sense?  Now when Satan whispers those little lies in your ear, you can tell him to bug off and instead choose to dwell on the truth.

There's a tough balance between working hard and realizing we can't do it all. Second Timothy 2:15  says, "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." We tend to look at that verse and automatically apply the "work hard" part to school, sports, making money, etc. But the emphasis is on spiritual things ("correctly explain the word of truth"). When you make your relationship with Christ your number one priority, you are free to take the rest of life in stride, no matter what others think of you. "If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too" (Romans 14:18).

I hope that helps, sis.

Love,