The Pursuit of Pleasing: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Unrealistic Expectations
Have you ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells, trying to please everyone around you? It’s a daunting task, to say the least. As the saying goes, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time!” For me, the hardest person to please was my father. As a parent myself, I understand the high expectations we often place on our children. We want them to be happy, successful, and fulfilled.
The Futility of People-Pleasing
But let’s face it, being a people-pleaser is a recipe for disaster. It’s a never-ending cycle of trying to meet others’ expectations, only to fall short. I finally realized that I couldn’t please my father, no matter how hard I tried. And that’s when it hit me – I was trying to please the wrong person. As the Bible says, “For without faith, it is impossible to please God, for anyone who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
A Deeper Understanding
As I reflect on my experiences, I realize that God is a parent who wants the best for us. He desires a meaningful life for us, just as we do for our own children. And He went to great lengths to meet our needs through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This realization has shifted my focus from pleasing others to pleasing God.
A New Perspective
Now, as a mother of adult children and a grandmother, I care deeply about the needs of my kids and grandkids. I want to please them with thoughtful acts and encouraging words. But I’ve come to understand that my ultimate goal should be to please God. By doing so, I’ll find true fulfillment and purpose in life.
Breaking Free from Expectations
So, what’s holding you back from pleasing God? Is it the fear of not meeting others’ expectations? Or is it the fear of not being good enough? Remember, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We’re all imperfect, but God loves us anyway. It’s time to break free from the burden of people-pleasing and focus on pleasing the One who truly matters.
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