If there is one universal problem that most of us struggle with at some point in time, it is worrying (sometimes too much) about what others think of us. We live in a world full of pressure from family, friends, acquaintances, the media, etc. We are always told to do this or that because it is “the thing to do” or because “everyone else is doing it.” I often feel like a chicken with it’s head cut off running around trying to do the things that will make others happy. I confess that this is one of my biggest hang-ups. I like for people to be happy and for them to like me. I am guilty of often caring more about people’s opinion than I care about the Lord’s….choosing to be ignorant to the Lords whisper that He is all that matters.
One morning about three weeks ago while I was having quiet time with the Lord, I was frustrated. I was frustrated with Him and with myself. Frustrated because I had finally had enough of the people pleasing chains that dragged me down every single day. For months I have been asking for the Lord to reveal Himself more to me. I want to be able to hear His voice louder than anything else in my life. Louder than the voices of this world that tell me the opposite of God’s truth. But in the middle of me being upset with God and crying out to Him to show up and speak to me, I heard Him.
“Allison, if you want to hear My voice than you need to start using yours.”
In that moment I was terrified. I wanted to change for so long but for so long I wasn’t willing to change. Because change is hard and uncomfortable. But that is the funny thing. When we become real with ourselves and recognize that we’re not perfect and we become willing to change to become more like Christ He responds to that obedience. Only through Christ can I break free from struggles that have weighed me down for years.
For the past few weeks The Lord has been giving me situations where I have to speak up and use my voice and honestly sometimes it has been hard. But so worth it. Where I have to say “no” to something or someone and not feel guilty about it. Where I have to look at my values and stand firm in them despite how different they are from others around me. Where I have to embrace conflict and manage it in a healthy way. Or having to tell a teammate constructive feedback even when I’m terrified and my voice shakes.
For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God?
Or am I striving to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Day by day the Lord is giving me freedom in this area that I have been captive in for so long. True freedom comes when we don’t need to be somebody special in other peoples eyes because we know that we are loveable and worth enough. The more that I realize how valuable, worthy, and loved that I truly am it makes so much more sense to live for God’s approval instead of mans.
If you want to set people free, you need to be free from people.
If you are truly focused on doing what the Lord wants, then what others think of you will fade into the background, and pleasing God will take center stage. Other voices will continue to scream to get your attention, but in the end, is God not the one you really want to please and be close to?
