Wednesday, May 31, 2023

I am a chronic people-pleaser.

I often fall into the trap of believing my value is determined by what others think of me. This is a common struggle because I know I’m not alone. I would argue that it is part of the human condition. We strive to do whatever we can so that people will like us. Unfortunately, as a result, we can place what others think of us above what God thinks of us.

In Scripture, there are many verses teaching that God’s approval is supremely more important than man’s approval. It’s a difficult habit to change, but it is one of the utmost importance. As Christians, we may have to make unpopular decisions that result in us being judged for following Jesus and keeping his commandments. Prioritizing others’ opinions is a dangerous game—one that could extend to sacrificing our own beliefs and morals to keep the peace.

Proverbs 29:25
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

When we prioritize other people’s view of us, we build our lives on an unstable foundation. However, when we prioritize God’s view of us, we build our lives on a firm foundation. When we fully surrender our lives to him, we are no longer defined or judged by the things of this world. Instead of worrying about our worldly image, we learn that we were created in God’s image for a bigger purpose. God has called his people to be set apart from the world. We are no longer defined by what others think of us; we are only defined by who our Creator declares us to be.

Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

As we faithfully follow God’s will, he gives us the strength and vision to rise above others’ views about us. To experience this, we must sacrifice our image and pride and fully surrender our lives to God, serving him first and foremost.

When we put God first, he leads us to humble ourselves before him and others. By honoring God, we show the world that we are set apart for a greater purpose. Instead of prioritizing others’ views of us, let us faithfully and boldly surrender our lives to God, knowing that we anchored our lives, here and for eternity, in the unchanging, ever-loving God who created us.

Questions:
What happens when we place others’ view of us above what God says about us?

Why is it so difficult to honor how God views us instead of what others think about us?

Next Steps:
Join a Group for the summer semester to experience connection with other Jesus followers.

Attend GrowthTrack to help find where God is leading you to serve.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with Scripture to show us how you view us. Help us to stop valuing the world’s opinions above how you define us. Give us the strength and boldness to follow your commandments even when it is unpopular. Help us to realize that we are set apart for a greater purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Luke 8:15
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.