The word 4U 2day/People pleasing (1+2)

[ladylovesJesus]

People pleasing (1)

"...IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO [CAN BE] AGAINST US?'' ROMANS 8:31

Let's get real today about how we live life: 'people-pleasing' is a miserable way to live. You always say yes to people, you want everyone to like you, you turn yourself inside out for them and just when you think you've succeeded, they change their minds. Apart from stealing your peace of mind, people-pleasing makes it impossible to follow God's plans for you, and ultimately that's your greatest loss.

But to change this kind of habit of a life time isn't easy; it requires an act of real faith and asking God for the courage to follow through. David said, '...I know...you are with me...I...am not afraid. No one can harm me' (Psalm 56:9-11 CEV). And Paul asks, '...If God is for us, who [can be] against us?'

Understand two things:

1) Dumping your desire to keep everyone happy means risking rejection by saying no when others expect to hear yes. Maybe when people are used to you doing everything their way, they'll react negatively until they get used to the 'new you.' But the people who really care for you will understand what you trying to do.

2) You may have to explain to others that in the past you looked for their approval because you felt insecure, but that's no longer the case.

The important thing is to act now. Breaking any addiction involves discomfort and suffering, but the only other option is spending your life feeling trapped. You can choose to suffer short-term on the way to freedom, or long-term by continuing to run around desperately trying to please other people. So, which will it be?

 

[ladylovesJesus]

The Word 4U 2day/People pleasing (2)

People pleasing (2)

''1 SAMUEL 13:11 Approval-seeking cost Saul his kingdom.

God had told him to wait for Samuel to come before offering the evening sacrifice, but because Samuel was late and the people were getting impatient, Saul disobeyed.

When Samuel questioned him Saul said, "When I saw...the people...slipping away from me...I...offered the burnt offering"...Samuel said... "You have done foolishly...The Lord would have established your kingdom...now [it] will not continue..."' (1 Samuel 13:11-14 NRS). Saul compromised his future because he was more worried about what people would say that what God HAD said.

Paul says, '...express truth in all things...' (Ephesians 4:15 AMP).

Approval-seeking is basically dishonest, because approval-seekers aren't real about their feelings.

Don't tell people what they want to hear, say what you need to say! You don't have to be rude, but don't be a wimp either. Just because somebody doesn't want to hear the truth that doesn't shut down your responsibility to speak it.

Have you ever felt awkward about something somebody asked you to do? You're just not sure if it's what God would want. People call this 'not having peace', one way God leads is through a sense of peace. When you don't have peace about doing something it's OK to say so.

In fact, people shouldn't expect you do anything unless you think God would be happy with it. If they don't like it - tough. Jesus told His disciples that when people won't '"...receive...nor listen to your message, as you leave...shake the dust...from your feet"' (Matthew 10:14 AMP). So, when somebody's reaction threatens to stop you from doing what God wants you to do or not do, shake it off and move on.

written by Bob Gass,