So many of us have fallen into the trap of people pleasing. At the root of this enticing trap is the longing to feel accepted, needed, and loved. These are natural instincts we all feel, but you must be careful where you seek your validation.
The need you have to please people can put you in bondage—craving the approval of others. True freedom will never be found in gaining any earthly acceptance. There is no way you can live up to all the standards people set for you.
Pleasing people is not the same thing as serving God by serving others. Some misconstrue both of these to mean the same thing. When you work to please others, you are actually working against the Holy Spirit who lives on the inside of you.
You are blocking Him from reminding you who God says you are. When your striving is driven by self-motivation it will not please God. People pleasing is all about you. Serving others is all about God.
This is a wake up call for so many. Remember who God says you are—chosen, called, beautiful, lovely, unique, and important, among so many other things. He thinks these things of you even knowing what you’ve done in your life and what you will do. He loves and accepts you unconditionally.
Only through submitting to Christ as an act of humility can you be free. Being humble in and of itself gives you freedom from pride and arrogance. With so many trying to please one another, how about you make a change and take the road less traveled.
How would serving others humbly in love change the way you live?
