As I walk through my daily routine—wake up, head to work, run errands, return home—I expose myself to opinions, judgments and perceptions from a wide range of people. But entirely too often, as I carry the weight of these judgments, I allow the opinions of others to dictate my opinion of myself.

A co-worker may criticize my work and, without hesitation, I question my gifts and abilities. A family member may doubt my career path, causing me to doubt my professional success. A complete stranger may shoot me a puzzled look, and I immediately look down at my clothing, wondering if I’m dressed abnormally.

Over time, the impact of these small judgments grows and expands until finally, when I’ve reached my absolute whit’s end, I crumble. I begin to wonder if I deserve to be judged—if my behavior, my appearance and my lack of success deserves nothing more than criticism. I wonder if I will ever “get back on track” and avoid the judgment that surrounds me.

Several years ago, during an influential leadership seminar, one of the speakers recited a simple line that offers hope for these dark, desolate times. “At the end of the day—no matter what circumstances I find myself in—I am a son of God,” he said. “And let me tell you: that’s a great place to be.” His comment, adapted from Galatians 3:26, forced me to stop and consider the power of the message at hand.

Even if I fail in my career, even if I look ridiculous, even if my behavior confuses those around me, the Lord will always love me as his son. Instead of focusing on the petty judgment I receive from others, I want to focus on the only judgment that really matters: the acceptance of the Lord, my heavenly father.

If you feel judged by others today, turn to God for comfort, delighting in his continual love. These three verses from Galatians will get you started:

1. Galatians 3:26-27 (GNTD)
   It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.
2. Galatians 1:10 (GNTD)
   Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God's approval! Am I trying to be popular with people? If I were still trying to do so, I would not be a servant of Christ.
3. Galatians 2:20 (GNTD)
   ...so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.