Yep. That’s me. A people-pleaser.
At least I come by it honestly. You see, I’ve been conditioned from childhood to be so. I figured out early on that people-pleasing was in my best interest. I mean, it offers the golden fruit of no stress and a happy life…doesn’t it? People-pleasing means that no one will be mad at me, no one will be disappointed with what I say or do. After all…being happy is the most important thing in life, right? Because if I make everyone else happy then their happiness will most certainly rub off on me!
But…it’s hard work pleasing everyone. It’s a 24 hour job with no end in sight; always second-guessing myself, holding myself up to the whims and standards of those around me, only to always fall short leaving me feeling insecure, exhausted and frustrated with myself. Not a good place to be.
Pleasing people is not what I was created for. Pleasing people is not what God wants for me.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (NIV)
Galatians 1:10
Pleasing people is a set-up for disaster. The only person I should be trying to please is my God. In my actions, in my words, in my heart, the only one whose approval matters is God. And according to the Bible, I can’t do both.
I have to make a choice.
It’s either please the world around me or please the God who’s in me.
Yes. I still struggle, after all, it’s hard to change something that’s been a part of me for 49 years. It takes a lot of prayer, and a whole lot of trusting God, but I’m learning to be okay with that. Because I’ve found that pleasing God is so much better because, unlike people, He loves me just the way I am.