In the popular TV show, The Office, Michael Scott is the goofy, incompetent yet affable regional manager with a funny but pitiable desire to be liked. This consuming trait severely impacts his personal life and work performance. He is famous for saying, "Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not. I like to be liked. I enjoy being liked. I have to be liked. But it's not like this compulsive need to be liked, like my need to be praised." His singular focus on pleasing people and avoiding rejection yields hours of hilarious TV, but underneath, Michael is lonely. People do not get to know the real him and the people he manages are frustrated by his behavior. He is a good cautionary tale of the pitfalls of an over-desire for approval.

God designed us to desire connection with him and each other. We were meant to please God. After the fall, this desire, like all others, was corrupted and we seek approval from others more than from God. Now, our unmet desire for approval produces fear, shame, and confusion in our hearts. This month's toolkit explores how to recognize the deep idol of approval and help those struggling with it.