I don’t know why I do it and why I can’t stop myself, but I am always trying to live to please others. Most of the time, they don’t appreciate it anyway. In fact, they find something to complain about anyway. It seems like nothing I do is ever good enough. I can always do something better. It’s exhausting…mentally, physically and spiritually. I’ve always been an outsider, never quite fitting in. I was never part of the “in” crowd. Never have been and after 40 years, don’t think I ever will be. But sadly, that doesn’t stop me from trying even when I know what the outcome is going to be. And you know, I find myself even doing this at church, the one place where I should be accepted for who I am, no matter what. But even there, I feel like I always need to fit in to be accepted…I have to be a certain way, like certain things, do things a certain way…I’m sure you catch my drift. And maybe that is why I find myself straying away. Not only from church, but from everything and everyone. It’s my defense mechanism, what I use to try to keep myself from being hurt. I don’t know that it helps because I still feel hurt.
But as 2012 progresses, it is my plan to stop living to please others. If they can’t accept me for who I am, then it’s their loss. I’m not perfect and I am going to make mistakes, but my mistakes should not define me. I am going to focus on pleasing the One who can save me. My weight, my looks, my political affiliation, my past…none of that matters to God. He looks past the external to the internal. Even though I get off track, my intentions are pure and God knows my heart. He knows I strive to be the best that I can be. He looks past my faults and forgives me when I sin. He doesn’t hold it against me.
Thank God for being who He is. I don’t know why I have such a hard time putting pleasing God above pleasing others. But that is what I am going to work on this year. It will be a daily struggle because it is ingrained in me to try to please others.
If you find yourself facing this same struggle, why don’t you join me on this journey? I can guarantee you the rewards will be great!
I’m not who I’m supposed to be, but thank God, I’m not who I used to be. I look back over my life and think about the things I did, the things I allowed and I cringe and feel sick. My life was a mess, but God saw fit to keep me around and bring me through those times. I’ll be honest…I don’t understand why He did it, but I am grateful that He did. I don’t always live my life now like I appreciate Him saving me, but I really do.
“One day at a time”. When we are going through trials and tribulations, we hear that phrase all the time. “Honey, just take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do.” It’s good advice and people mean well when they tell you that. But sometimes, even one day at a time is too much. Sometimes, we have to take it an hour at a time, a minute at a time, and yes, even a second at a time. That may be all that we can bear at the moment. 
It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God. Have you ever experienced sleepless nights where you walked the floor worrying about the uncertainties of tomorrow? No matter how much you tried to encourage yourself, it seemed as if things were not getting better for you. No matter how hard you tried to get yourself together, the spirit of doubt had consumed your thoughts. Have you ever wondered how things would get better? Your current surroundings appeared bleak and cloudy. Nothing seemed clear. Your future appeared in jeopardy. Have you ever asked, “Why me”? You know God knows what is best for you, but there were times when you felt overwhelmed by life and the troubles it brought (
Have you ever experienced a trying time in your life and everyone wanted to give you advice? Whether they knew everything or not, they were very eager to offer their opinion. Whether their opinion differs from the Word of God or not, they still desire to tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it and what they would do if it were them. Be careful about who you have in your ear. Have you ever had family and friends try to tell you how you should approach a certain situation? Understand, some of their advice is beneficial but some of it is not. You must make sure you do not allow people to push you or advise you away from the Lord. Always know this: People are quick to give you advice when they see you in a dilemma but they are usually slow to receive advice when they experience the same dilemma. Do you know someone like this? Are you this person?
Questions…
God Has Not Forgotten About You! I do not know what you are dealing with today. I do not know what dilemma you find yourself faced with today. I do not know what obstacles stand in your way. I do not know what mountain stands between you and the promise God made to you. I do not know what you have lost along this journey. I do not know the nights you walked the floors with tears running down your face. I do not know how many people walked away from you. I do not know what mistakes you have made along the way.
As children it was easy to envision doing great things. There were no inhibitions and everyone was telling you that you could do anything you put your mind to. Maybe you dreamed of being a doctor or lawyer or getting married and having a family. We had hopes for our future, and we were excited about all the great things we wanted to accomplish. But life happens, and sometimes the pressures of this world can have you so low that getting up is an afterthought. Instead of anticipating a prosperous future, you begin to dwell on the hurts and disappointments of your past.
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