Find Peace in an Anxious WorldSample

When You’re Worried People Don’t Like You

Making new friends can often be hard. It’s hard to find a good friend, and it’s hard to be one! When it comes to friendship, it’s always a good idea to think about how you’re treating other people: Are you being kind? Are you listening well? Are you treating others like you would want to be treated? Even if your answer is “Yes!” every time, you still might not click with everyone.

Do you ever start down these rabbit trails?

Because this one person doesn’t like me, no one will like me.

Because a few people don’t understand me, no one understands me.

When I look in the mirror, I don’t look like the prettiest girl I know—I’m not pretty at all.

None of this is true!

The Bible tells us what’s true about ourselves even when we’re not sure. If you’re wondering if what you think is what God thinks, open your Bible. Ask for help finding verses that talk about what God thinks about you, like today’s verse in Psalm 139:1.

Then take what you think and see if it matches with what the Bible says. If it matches, it’s true! If it doesn’t match, it’s a lie. Let’s try a few:

• I’m thinking: No one cares what I think.
• The Bible says: “Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (2 Timothy 4:12)
• I’m thinking: No one is ever going to like me.
• The Bible says: “Am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”(Galatians 1:10)

When you question who you are or what matters, go to the Bible.There you’ll find what’s true.

Rest in that.

Prayer

Thank You for giving me the Bible, God, so I have reminders of who You say I am. Will You help me be confident as I make new friends and find friends who are kind?