People Pleasing
This is an easy topic for me to write on because I am so
guilty of it. I come from a long line of
people pleasers, and I have inherited the gene for sure!
I want to please people. I want people to like me. I say yes,
when many times I want to say no.
Why do I even care if people like me? Why do I care if I
disappoint someone?
I was reading through a devotional the other day on this very
topic. Lysa Terkeurst has a great devotional called What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
In Chapter 27, titled, "I'm Going to Disappoint
Someone", she shares 1 Thessalonians 2:4:
" 4 On the contrary, we speak as
those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to
please people but God, who tests our hearts."
She also shares a thought for the day: "Real love
pursues authenticity rather than chasing acceptance."
Woah. This digs into my heart, deep. Especially that chasing acceptance part. Why
am I spending my time and efforts pleasing others when the only opinion that
matters is God's?
Sure, we are charged to love God and love people. Loving
people means helping people and doing good. But loving God comes first. He's
the one we will spend eternity with!
Lysa says, "Today, let's make peace with the fact that we're going to disappoint some people as we seek to please God."
This people pleasing girl is going to start thinking about what
I say yes to. Lysa suggests even coming up with a predetermined response for saying
no, as it can often ease the pressure when responding to others.
Here's mine: "I'd love to say YES right now, but I need
some time to think and pray about it."
Is this something you struggle with? Maybe take some time today
and ask God to help you determine when to say yes or say no.
-Andi
No comments:
Post a Comment