"My name is Nancy, and I'm a people pleaser." While this confession is not as dramatic as admitting an addition to drugs or alcohol, it has the potential of being debilitating if allowed to distract your work and ministry. I would probably need to see a therapist to get to the bottom of why I'm such a people pleaser because I don't know when or why I jumped on that roller coaster of trying to make everyone happy all the time!
I spent many years trying to please everyone and then allowed myself to be devastated if I found out someone didn't like me and heard negative things they said about me. I ran across a revolutionary statement one day that I want to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ who are "super" people pleasers like me. I ran across a cute postcard that now sits on my desk to serve as a continual reminder in case I get in line for the roller coaster again!
"Remember, it's not your job to get people to like you; it's your job to like people."
So the next time this people pleaser does her best to please others, I'll realize my best is just to like others. And if someone doesn't like me back, that's ok. So fellow people pleasers, I hope you feel as released as I do with this little quote. Isn't that what Jesus did on earth? He loved others and if you remember the many stories in the Bible like I do, there were many times that people did not accept him, and actually ridiculed him. And my job here on earth is to continue the Lord's work. I will love others with the love of Christ; and that's ok if they don't like me back. How simple is that? I'll stay off the roller coaster; but maybe I'll get in the line for the cotton candy because life is sweet with Jesus as your best friend!
Mark 12:33 "To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
John 15:10 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."
John 15:19 "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
May God bless these words as I strive to edify and encourage others in their walk with Christ. Married 20 years, I have a teenage son, and two wonderful golden retriever/collie dogs. I am also a contributing staff writer to http://www.HeartFriendz.com - an awesome website just for women! Nancy Quinn
