hi, i’m a people pleaser

I was reading through Galations last night and this scripture I found quite confronting.   It smacks you right in the face asking a very clear question;

Are you trying to win the approval of those around you or of God?  Are you constantly focusing on pleasing people – because if you are trying to please people, you cannot be a servant of Christ”

So often we are swayed by what those around us are doing.    I used to struggle a lot in highschool to have my own voice. To not be swept up with the wrong people.  To say no and not be easily influenced.  And in highschool, I got swept up.  I became involved with some people who accepted me when I was like them.  And by being like them, I change myself so I fit in and didn’t stand out so I wouldn’t be picked on.

Highschool is not an easy place, for A LOT of people, but it still happens in later life – we change, even slightly, to those we come into contact with.

I personally find it hard to stop doing this in my life.  I especially don’t like it when I catch myself in a moment where I’m compromising my beliefs to make people around me feel comfortable.

Here though, in Galations, Paul wasn’t afraid of being judged by those around him and he didn’t change himself to be like those around him so that they would listen to him – he was obedient and received Christ’s words to tell people about the Gospel, not words of men!

He didn’t fluff it up with fancy words and dress up a certain way to please those around him so they would pay attention to him, he brought the word of God, not the words and ways of men!

It’s something that I, everyday, have to come back to.  Not to worry what people might think of me because of what I believe or what I say, but to rest upon the word of God and please Him, be a servant of Christ!  To be led by faith – not by others!  Trust in the word of God, not the words of those around me! 

It’s something I know I need to work on this year and as much as I have changed and moved on SO much from the people pleasing ways of highschool and my early 20’s,  I have to remind myself of this, no matter how confronting.