Those of us who live for the approval of others trying hard to be perfect, are not led but driven. We have submitted to our own perfectionist demands for so long that it is now difficult to hear God’s truth when He guides us.
God created us to live for Him and has a specific plan for each of us. When our conscience is shaped by a wounded spirit, we will find we are constantly looking for affirmation, and mechanically acting out of people pleasing motives, rather than God pleasing love.
Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NIRV).
Here are some things we think or say that indicate people pleasing is likely active in our lives:
1. We try to be who others want us to be.
2. We are afraid to rock the boat by sharing our thoughts.
3. It is hard for us to decide what we want.
4. We avoid speaking our minds.
5. We find it easier to go along with what someone else wants or agree with their opinion.
6. It is difficult for us to say “No.”
7. We try to be nice rather than expressing how we really feel.
The key to living in recovery as God intends, rather than being controlled by approval seeking, is to get to know and affirm who God says we are regardless of the opinions of others.
The key to living in recovery as God intends, rather than being controlled by approval seeking, is to get to know and affirm who God says we are regardless of the opinions of others.
Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23 NIRV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Please give me the desire and the will to be a doer of Your word so that my conscience may be reprogrammed with truth. I want to follow Your ways and live by Your principles in all my affairs. Amen
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