The Hidden Weight of Waiting for Validation

Have you ever sensed clearly what you needed to do—only to pause, hesitate, and wait for someone else to confirm it?

It’s a tension many women face. One voice may affirm your path with clarity, while others stay quiet—not out of disagreement, but out of fear. In their silence, uncertainty grows. We start to wonder: Am I wrong to feel so sure?

Validation is something we all crave. It feels safe. It reassures. But when we wait too long for others to confirm what we already know, we risk missing our moment.

There was a time when I felt this weight. One person was crystal clear: Don’t do it. Their conviction echoed something I was already sensing deep down. Yet others, though close to me, offered no confirmation. They weren’t unsure—they were simply afraid to say the hard thing.

In another moment, the dynamic flipped. I was walking through a train station when a stranger stopped me with a smile: “You’re killin’ it.” It wasn’t about vanity—it was a sudden recognition. My look, my presence—it all aligned. And the confidence I already felt was simply affirmed out loud.

That experience taught me this: true confidence doesn’t start with validation. It begins with clarity.

When we look outward for confirmation of what we already know inwardly, we risk dimming our God-given discernment.

Sometimes, silence from others isn’t a red light—it’s an invitation to trust what the Spirit is already whispering. As Galatians 1:10 (NIV) reminds us:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?... If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Stop waiting for permission to be who God already called you to be.

Here’s how to move forward:

• Notice the moments of clarity. Pay attention to that deep knowing within, even when others hesitate.
  

• Affirm yourself through Scripture. Let God’s promises guide your confidence, not public opinion.
  

• Release the need for universal approval. Everyone may not understand your journey—and that’s okay.
  

• Take the next courageous step. Obedience is often affirmed in hindsight.
  

Today’s Affirmation:“I release the need for external validation and walk boldly in the truth God has placed within me.”

You don’t need a room full of approval when God has already given you a green light. Trust the clarity within—and walk forward in courage.

For more reflections on living with faith, clarity, and boldness, explore the full Everyday Courage Series.