Being a “People Pleaser”

I’ve been edgy and irritable.  Something within my heart has been agitated.  My head tells me if I just lash out then I’ll feel better.  But, I know better.  So, I try to control it somewhat.  I snip at my family rather than lash out.  I raise my tone a few notches rather than yell.  And, for days, I haven’t known why.  

The other morning, I asked God to pour his Living Water to drench the raging anger inside of me. To show me why my heart feels so angry and frustrated.  And, in what appeared to be a random time and place, Galatians 1:9, rushed inside my head, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

I had my answer.  In fact, the verse come through my mind and heart at the exact moment I was wondering what others were thinking of the words I had spoken.

Because of His answer, I realized I had fallen back into old habits of trying to please people.  I think at some level we many of us want to please others.  Being a wife and mom who wants to keep her family happy isn’t a bad thing.  Wanting to help others walk through life isn’t wrong.  Wanting my boss and co-workers to be pleased with my efforts isn’t horrible.  But, when my ultimate goal is to please any of them, I fall into the trap of sin.  

My first and foremost goal must be to please God.  To follow Him -  His ways, desires, thoughts and will -  must be my heart’s desire.  

My heart was askew because I exhausted myself trying to make sure all the people in my life were happy.  However, over the past few days of shifting my focus to God first, I’ve found freedom.  It has reset my heart.  The anger and frustration are gone.  And, honestly, those around me are much happier now that I seek to please God because peace is once again reigning in my life.

How’s your heart today?

Thank you, Father, for always answering when your children seek you.  May I seek You more every day.  Give me a hunger for You.  For when I seek You first everything else falls into place.  Amen