April 17, 2024
Are you a people pleaser? Many of us will have to nod our heads and say, “Yes, I have a little of that in me.” Most people do.
As children, we want to please our parents. We want to hear them say they are proud of us. As employees, we want to please our employers. As players or athletes, we want to please our coaches.
As I said earlier, most of us have some people pleasing in us. But people-pleasing becomes a problem if pleasing people becomes the driving force -- the dominant issue -- in our lives.
Maybe you can’t make a decision because you’re afraid the decision won’t please someone. Maybe there are things you do because you want to please someone. In those instances, being a people pleaser is not good.
In Galatians, the apostle Paul said he was not a people pleaser. Paul wrote, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Gal. 1:10).
Think about what Paul said. “…[I]f pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
You can’t be a people pleaser and also please God. Our goal should be to please God. And, as we please God, that will please the meaningful people in our lives. And for those who aren’t pleased, you don’t need them any way.
So, if you are a people pleaser, set that aside. Stop trying to please others. Stop making decisions just so someone will like you. Be yourself. Love God. Put God first.
Please God and the rest will take care of itself.
