Over time, especially as I become older and I am constantly experiencing new areas of life, I've realized how dangerous being a people-pleaser really is. I've come to understand the severity of constantly wanting to please people. There is such a fine line between making someone happy and doing what's right. There's a one-step boundary between truth and deception.
Why do we please people? Do we do it to feel good? Do we want to make others happy to increase our pride, to prove something? Why do we feel this desire to make people so happy? There's an extreme difference between pleasing people and pleasing God. We are not accountable to people. Our lives are not judged by people, nor are we required to please anyone. Who are we accountable to. . . ? The one, true King. Our intentions, our focus, and our direction should be on the Lord at all costs. No matter what circumstance, we should be ready to please the Lord. Yes, making others happy pleases the Lord. But pleasing the Lord doesn't always mean pleasing others. With a servant's hearts, one of the hardest things to do is trying not to please people constantly. Sometimes we are not just called to be sweet and gentle. Sometimes we need to be bold and loud. We need to show the Truth, in love. We need to reveal Him, in love. But the Truth doesn't always please people. The Gospel doesn't always appeal to people. People will reject it, they will stomp on it, spit on the cross, and slander you. They will be angry, upset, confused, anything but pleased. But who are we trying to please? People or the Lord?
Day to day I still want to please people, but I've had to learn why. What are my intentions? Are we pleasing people for our own glory or for His? Do we want to make others happy to boost our pride or to teach about the Gospel? Us people-pleasers need to refashion our thinking. We need to remember why we want to do good, and why we want to make others happy. I myself still struggle with this day to day, but God has slowly but surely reminded me that not everyone will be happy with me, not everyone will like me, and in the end I am accountable to Him and Him alone.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10
Day to day I still want to please people, but I've had to learn why. What are my intentions? Are we pleasing people for our own glory or for His? Do we want to make others happy to boost our pride or to teach about the Gospel? Us people-pleasers need to refashion our thinking. We need to remember why we want to do good, and why we want to make others happy. I myself still struggle with this day to day, but God has slowly but surely reminded me that not everyone will be happy with me, not everyone will like me, and in the end I am accountable to Him and Him alone.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10
Taylor, keep writing these! They leave me challenged and encouraged.
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