Galatians 1:10 –Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
There I was again, sitting at my desk, pretending not to feel overwhelmed. I had said yes to another favor I didn’t have time for, and now I was knee-deep in a project that had nothing to do with me.
My own work sat untouched, the clock kept marching, and I was secretly furious with myself for falling into the same trap yet again.
I grew up thinking if I could just stay on everyone’s good side, life would go smoother. And maybe for a while it did. Smiles all around, no ruffled feathers. But somewhere in the middle, I started to realize I wasn’t living to please the Lord at all. I was just pleasing people.
The truth is, I was worn out. There would always be one more expectation to meet and one more approval to earn. And the more I did this, the more I knew how empty it was.
That day, with my inbox overflowing and my own work untouched, something in me snapped. I pushed my chair back, closed my eyes for a moment, and asked God for the courage to stop people pleasing.
And then I did something small, but it felt huge. I told someone “no.”
I said it kindly and gently, but it was firm. And then I went back to the work God had actually given me.
It’s not like my life changed overnight. But step by step, I started making choices that honored Him instead of everyone else’s opinions. Saying “yes” when it was right and “no” when it was wise. I learned to live with the fact that not everyone would understand, and that’s okay.
Paul said it this way in Galatians 1:10:
“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?… If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
And let me tell you, the peace that comes with that far outweighs the false comfort of keeping everyone happy.
So now when I walk through those office doors, I can carry myself differently. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’m finally learning to live for God, not man.
Because if they never gave me life, why should they be the ones I live for?
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- In what areas of your life do you feel pressured to please others more than God?
- How does Galatians 1:10 challenge your perspective on approval and purpose?
- What’s one boundary you could set this week that helps you honor God first?
- How can you practice saying “yes” to what God is calling you to—and “no” to what He isn’t?