A Verse for When… You’re Trying to Please People
It can be so hard to discount the opinions of others. I, for one, have spent way too much time and energy worried about what people think of me. There was a season at my workplace where gossip was a serious issue. So many people’s names were on the lips of others, and it led to a toxic environment. If you weren’t one of the gossipers, you were worried about what was being said about you. …which you would later find out through a different gossiper who brought the news back to you. …which then you gossiped together about. It was honestly a painful and anxiety-ridden cycle that was difficult to escape.
During this time period, I initially let myself get sucked right in. And in the process, I gave away some of my power. To who? Well, to the people who were talking about me, of course! I found myself constantly worrying about what they would think or say of the well-intentioned choices I was making. I avoided interacting with them because it made my insides tense up, and it seemed easier to just keep a safe and friendly distance. While everybody was kind to one another’s faces, beneath the surface, unrest and unkindness were in control.
Eventually, God helped me realize that other people’s opinions of me are their business, not mine. As hard as I might try to have my fingers on everything, I can only control myself. Sure, I can do and say things that hopefully allow my coworkers to see tiny bits of Jesus in me as I try to shine His light in the world, but I cannot climb inside a person’s brain to direct her specific thoughts. And, honestly, that sounds like a losing battle to fight!
What is in the realm of my control? I can follow Jesus and imitate Him as best I can. Then? I can trust Him to protect my reputation like only He can. When I finally learned to embrace this reality, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. It was so freeing! I could be myself and enjoy my days, deliberately choosing to not give other people power over my emotions. Instead of grasping for control over the thoughts inside someone else’s brain, I surrendered that worry to God. …and with that no longer on my plate, I increased my own capacity for joy, peace and pure zest for life.
Whenever I’m tempted to revert back to worrying about someone else’s opinion of me, this verse from Galatians comes in clutch:
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. -Galatians 1:10
Such a powerful point made so plainly! Whose approval am I trying to win? A person’s or God’s? If I spend my days trying to please people, then I am focused on them, serving them, tied to them and intertwined with them. On the other hand, if I spend my days trying to please God, then I am focused on Him! Serving Him! Tied to Him! Intertwined with Him! The choice seems pretty clear.
This verse could be helpful for you in other situations, too. For example, I’ve had times when God has called me to do something that I’ve struggled to find the courage to do. Running through my mind are questions like, What will my friends think? How will so-and-so react to that? Will they think I’m crazy or weird? In situations like these, the same verse might be the perfect reminder and motivation.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. -Galatians 1:10
Has God given you a command that is scary? Are you worried about what your friends or family members might think or say as they watch you follow after His call? If the Holy Spirit has convicted you in such a way that you know deep down in your heart that it’s time to take a step of faith, you must be obedient. You must go for it! Especially if your worries about what others might think or say are the main thing holding you back, LET THEM GO. You are not meant to be a servant of people. You were made to glorify and serve God. His opinion is the only one that really matters. When you reach your earthly finish line, it will not be your friends and family standing in front of you to evaluate your life’s decision and actions. It will be the Lord! Belief in Him as Savior assures you of the promise of eternal life, so He will not assess your life and kick you out of eternity. However, He will still take stock of the gifts and instructions He entrusted you with and see what you did with them.
Bottom line? Let whoever think whatever. The only opinion that matters is God’s. If you tried to please everyone every day, you would live life in a state of exhaustion and discouragement. It’s literally impossible to make everybody happy all the time! If that’s your goal, you’re asking for stress and struggle. You’re also choosing to let other people control your emotions and your peace. Instead, release the opinions of others to God. Trust that He is in control and will take care of you. Choose to wonder what He will think or say about what you’re doing. With that as your primary motivation, you surely cannot go wrong.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. -Galatians 1:10