Intentional Living: Releasing People-pleasing
April 12, 2010 by Courtney Chalfant
Filed under Conversations on Spirituality
Intentional Living: Releasing People-pleasing
By Joan C. Webb, Author/Speaker, Life Coach www.joancwebb.comI’ve learned (well, I am learning!) several relief-producing truths. Here’s one. People-pleasing negates personal and spiritual growth. Trying to be everything others want is an automatic crazy-maker–especially during holidays. Besides that, it wears us out and distances us from those we care about.
When you and I try too hard to please the people around us, we attempt to accomplish the impossible. How do we decide which human being to satisfy—a parent, child, colleague, boss, friend, pastor, sibling, spouse? Each of these individuals has a different image of us and often their expectations or plans for us are not consistent with our own dreams, abilities, gifts, or God-given calling.
These wise words of Paul help me: “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4. What one small step can you take this season to release your tendency to over-please and to increase your sense of peace?
