Letting Go of People Pleasing

In the past, I struggled with people-pleasing. I like people to be happy, and I hated the thought of someone being unhappy with me. I used to go out of my way to make sure I hadn't disappointed someone with my words or actions and that I was doing everything I could to please them. Do you know how exhausting this is? Maybe you do because you struggle with people-pleasing too.

But one day, the Lord revealed to me that I have no control over how another person interprets my actions or words. Maybe they are having a bad day. Perhaps they are going through something devastating right now, and nothing I can do or say will make them happy. I can only live to please God and have my actions glorify Him. When I accepted this as truth, it was freeing to let go. I needed only to please God. If I centered my actions on pleasing Him and doing what is right in His eyes, the rest would take care of itself.

Are you a people pleaser, focusing more on what others think about you that what God does? Trust the words of Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."