Let the Games Begin

I am a people-pleaser, sort of. I mean, in the depth of my being, I have a desire to please people. I can’t shake it. I want everyone to like me. Unfortunately, despite years of trying, I have yet to learn the secret art of modifying my words or tone to fit different settings or personality types. To put it simply, I don’t have a filter. I am what I am, and, what I am, oozes out of me in all of its unapologetic awkward glory. And, this just in, people do not enjoy being covered in someone else’s awkward ooze.

Even with the best personality type, people-pleasing is a death trap. If you manage to please one person, you are probably simultaneously pissing off someone else. Case in point: half of you are probably very pleased that I used the P-word in a blog, the other half of you are mortified.  See, it is impossible. You cannot please everyone, so whom do you choose?

Currently, I am wrestling with decisions that no matter what I choose someone will be upset. The fear of disappointing my friends, family, coworkers, is killing me inside. The knowledge that people that I love dearly are probably going to talk about me behind my back and whisper in shock, dismay or disapproval is crippling. I want everyone to love me, but as I stand before these decisions, I realize, the weight of everyone else’s love is too heavy for me to bear.  

I was never meant to carry the yoke of your approval. O sinful man, your opinion of me will change, as will my opinion of you. Trying to win your favor is like trying to swim out of quicksand. What a foolish and deadly pursuit!

“For am I know 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” (Galatians 1:10).

In conclusion, I realize that the decisions I have made or will make are going to upset some of you. I realize, no matter how hard I try, I cannot please everyone at every time, therefore, today, I quit. I quit trying to make you like me. I quit trying to make you proud of me. I quit trying to be your favorite.  I quit trying to keep you from gossiping about me in shock and dismay. I just want my heavenly Father to be proud of me. So, today I choose to seek God’s approval, to offer my body as a living sacrifice for his glory (Romans 12:1). If in the process, you like me more, great. If not, and you talk about me behind my back, I’ll live.

Let the games begin.