“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 NIV

People pleasers are those who are addicted to the opinions of others. They need constant pats on the back and affirmations to function in life. Those who suffer from this addiction have a difficult time concentrating on their personal growth and development because they are too absorbed and concerned about what others think of them.

All of us know people who continually overspend and overwork themselves so that they can win the approval of their neighbors, relatives, friends, and people that they don’t know. The root of this addiction is inferiority, insecurity or low self-esteem. In other words, people pleasers see others as being more valuable than themselves. Of course, this is not healthy. We cannot walk in our destinies and fulfill our purposes while trying to win the approval of others. 

Paul was straightforward when he said, I am not trying to please human beings. For he knew this was an impossible task. People are fickle. They are all over the board with their emotions, appetites, choices, quirks, and loyalties. But, most of all, Paul realized that he could not please God and man. Choosing to please God was a no-brainer for a man of Paul’s stature and soundness in the faith.

When we, like Paul, are secure in God, and who He has created us to be, pleasing people is off the table. However, so many of us have been rejected, abandoned, and made what we consider huge or shameful mistakes; therefore, we seek the approval of others. We want others to like and affirm us despite the hole in our souls. For some reason, it just makes us feel better for a moment for people to give us the approval nod. However, it doesn’t cure or heal the wound; therefore, we keep coming back for more approval until it becomes an addiction. 

My beloved, those from whom you are seeking approval are broken and hurting themselves. God is your only answer. Run to Him and ask Him to pour in the oil and the wine, the balm in Gilead. It’s powerful enough to make you whole!

Consider this: King Saul lost his throne because he wanted to please the people (1 Samuel 15). Paul finished his course because he served God wholeheartedly despite the people’s opinion of him (2 Timothy 4:7).

If you are a people pleaser, are you willing to do what it takes to overcome your addiction? 

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13

Posted by on Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 @ 12:02AM
Categories: Inspirational