I’m a people pleaser. Yep … I surely am.
I like for people to like me. No. That probably isn’t true. I need people to like me.
I’ve known this about myself for a long, long time. I’ve known it is a weakness. I’ve known it is something that I needed to work on. It is why I struggle so much with criticism.
But through a series of events over the last couple of weeks, I’ve come to realize something.
It isn’t just a weakness. Not just something I should work on. It is an idol. A big, fat, old, ugly idol.
I have gotten to the place where I am putting the thoughts and opinions of others above the Lord’s. I had let the criticism of a few wreck me even though I knew that I was doing what the Lord wanted.
But no more … nope. Making sure the Lord is back on the throne in that part of my life. Will I still struggle … probably. But I know what it is now … in all of its ugliness.
So, there it is … deep breath … I’m feeling better.
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You and me both, Sister!
AMEN!
Ditto to you and Carrie!! I knew it was a weakness of mine never thought of it that way that really it was an idol in my life!!! I don’t want that!!! I realize with my hubby going into the role of sr. pastor and planting a church there will be lots of opions and criticism that I will have to let go!
Lori, I feel like you are inside my brain! This has been such a battle in my life…and I too knew it was something I had to work on, but I’ve never really viewed it as an idol…and you’re right…that’s exactly what it is! I believe it has been the cause of much of the worry/stress/ in my life.
This post can bring a lot of people freedom…I know it did for me. As always, thanks for sharing your heart.
OH so me! I attend a BSF study and we are going through John. In Chapter 5:41 Jesus says….”I do not accept praise from men.” Um…well I think I might just do that in my life! I like people to like me…but it gets in my way of serving Him.
Ouch! & Yup! Dealing with some recent criticism (it’s raining C over her in Ohio right now…) a very godly person spoke truth to me and my husband about that very thing. That when we’re worried about what ‘people were saying’ and what ‘people were thinking’, the focus in on US and not GOD! aka rooted in PrIdE
Yes. That was/is true. And we needed to hear it.
Anything that takes our focus off of God is an idol. You stated it perfectly!
I’m right there with ya, Lori. We see it for what it is… doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy… but as GIJoe would say, “knowing is half the battle.”
I’m quite the people pleaser myself… I try to constantly stay in check with my “motives” on certain issues to make sure I’m not just making certain decision based on what other people might think.
Thanks for the reminder.
I am a people pleaser too, in the aspect that I want them to tell me what a great job I did, or thanks for volunteering, or this place wouldn’t run without you. Thanks for calling it to all of our attention!
Amen…….that is me to a “T”. I am speaking to our MOPS group at church on Friday and actually found myself editing some of what I felt God wanted me to say just because I thought people would get mad at me. THAT is a problem…….ugh!
Excellent!
I, too, am a people pleaser. And your so right. I need to be very careful not to put other’s opinions of me ahead of what God wants.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
I have been a people pleaser most of my life. Then I turned 40 something and something in me changed. I still want people to like me, but maybe because I’m getting older I’m far less concerned with being liked and far more concerned if God is pleased with me. Some days its a struggle and other days I wonder why I trip over half the stuff I do. And when I do slip up (which I do) I thank God for his grace and mercy.
God knows we don’t have it all together. He loves us anyway.
Oh boy can I relate! It is something I struggle with too.
Thanks