Being a people pleaser can be a terrible snare.
The exhaustion that comes from raggedly running to keep everyone we know happy is physical, mental, and emotional.
The aim should be to please God.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. “Galatians 1:10
If I am seeking to please man (rather than God), I become man’s bondservent.
Do you find yourself doing things because it will appease someone? Have you been manipulated emotionally? Does someone withhold love or approval from you if you don’t do that thing they want you to do?
Be careful friend. There is a fine line between being a loving servant of God’s who helps people, and being run down and exhausted by someone for whom it will never be enough.
People who love you respect your limitations.
People who love you respect your time.
People who love you love you, not what you do for them.
Aim to please God.
It is possible to have a good name before man. This does not come through living to please him though.
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4
Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Your service to people is driven by your love and faithfulness to them, not your desire to please them.
God’s love and faithfulness to you in turn is shown to others through you.
God does what is best for us out of His great love for us.
Our response to people in our lives should mirror this model.
Sometimes the answer is…
No, I can’t do that at this time.
No, my schedule won’t allow for that.
No, that would not be wise for me.
No, that would not be best for you.
These are not easy things to say, and too often we comply to please rather than speak truth.
Love and faithfulness win favor and a good name before God and man.
This is not the equivalent to running ragged to make everyone happy.
If you aim to please God with your life, that is enough.
You may need to learn the power of a loving, “No.”
