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. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV)
I have realized a few things about myself: (1) I have a huge desire to please people; (2) people are changeable; (3) trying to please everyone all the time is impossible; (4) I still want to do it; and lastly, (5) this is a one-way ticket on the crazy train.
I have been known to make up scenarios and conversations in my head about what I believe people are thinking about me when I think I have disappointed them. I also like to reimagine conversations that I think have gone poorly. Conversation do-overs. Sadly, I am much more brilliant in my do-over conversations than I am in real-life conversations.
I am convinced that this is not the way that Jesus meant for me to live. Because that is not how He lived. Jesus only cared about what One “person” thought about Him. His Dad. Everything Jesus did revolved around what His Dad wanted, what He liked, what He valued, what He had asked Jesus to do.
I am trying to follow His lead. I’m stepping out of the “what ifs” and “I wonders” that swirl around in my brain and onto the firm truth of the Father’s love. If I really want to spend my days worried about pleasing someone, shouldn’t it be Him?
If I am pleasing Him, if I am living for Him, if I am following His direction, then I don’t have to worry about whether people like me or what I do or what I say. Because I am living out my life the way that it was meant to be lived. And that is an invitation to get off of the crazy train.
Faith Step: Tell Jesus, “You are the One I want to please with my life.” Each time a people-pleasing thought enters your mind, remind yourself that you are pleasing an audience of One.
