Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle with people pleasing..
Boy howdy, the wounded or rejected spirit has been such a recurring theme in the rabbit holes that I visit from time to time. But I am excited about how God is using this to draw me closer to Him. Let me explain...
First, of course He provides ultimate acceptance and belonging but it is so much more than that. He is showing me, that He doesn't have a problem with my desire to please. He actually made me with a heart to care deeply. I am so grateful. I think He designed us all to have a selfless servants heart. The problem is in who I am trying to please.
Filling the cup cathartically seems inevitable when we are putting those same efforts into pleasing Him. He will not only bless us in doing so, but He shows our hearts exactly how to love more authentically, more sincerely. He leads us to a true heart of flesh.
When we are pleasing others with the intention to get the stamp of approval from them, well, that is shallow in its intention and outcome. On the other hand, to just love them and show mercy where they are at, regardless of their opinion, not looking for any reciprocation, of any kind, wow, how empowering and effectual. I like knowing my heart is sincere; it is very important to me. And you know what? Rejection in the striving to please, to be accepted, provides a great opportunity to find out if our heart is where it needs to be, to discern where we are leading from and what our motives are.
Where am I operating from, ego or heart? Am I pleasing from a quenching desire to feed self, to ensure I am ok because of how others define or regard me? Do I genuinely care about others well-being, of taking tender precious care of them? One is a selfish game that no one wins and the other has a nature of selflessness that leaves everyone blessed.
For myself , letting go of pleasing others in vain requires a sincere heart to please God.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB
Boy howdy, the wounded or rejected spirit has been such a recurring theme in the rabbit holes that I visit from time to time. But I am excited about how God is using this to draw me closer to Him. Let me explain...
First, of course He provides ultimate acceptance and belonging but it is so much more than that. He is showing me, that He doesn't have a problem with my desire to please. He actually made me with a heart to care deeply. I am so grateful. I think He designed us all to have a selfless servants heart. The problem is in who I am trying to please.
Filling the cup cathartically seems inevitable when we are putting those same efforts into pleasing Him. He will not only bless us in doing so, but He shows our hearts exactly how to love more authentically, more sincerely. He leads us to a true heart of flesh.
When we are pleasing others with the intention to get the stamp of approval from them, well, that is shallow in its intention and outcome. On the other hand, to just love them and show mercy where they are at, regardless of their opinion, not looking for any reciprocation, of any kind, wow, how empowering and effectual. I like knowing my heart is sincere; it is very important to me. And you know what? Rejection in the striving to please, to be accepted, provides a great opportunity to find out if our heart is where it needs to be, to discern where we are leading from and what our motives are.
Where am I operating from, ego or heart? Am I pleasing from a quenching desire to feed self, to ensure I am ok because of how others define or regard me? Do I genuinely care about others well-being, of taking tender precious care of them? One is a selfish game that no one wins and the other has a nature of selflessness that leaves everyone blessed.
For myself , letting go of pleasing others in vain requires a sincere heart to please God.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB
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