There is a common tendency in the human heart to love the approval of people rather than that of God. It is easy for us to fall into the rat race of pleasing those around us, those we care about, those we think care about us. But we soon find out how exhausting and depressing it can get to chase that approval because it is rarely obtained, just like a mirage that is always just out of reach. And even when we do succeed in gaining people's approval, it is short-lived and always disappoints. I have noticed that I have a huge, and wicked, tendency to seek this approval, and it has often made me frustrated, miserable, and led to general despair in life. If you can relate, here are a few reasons why trying to please people is an empty pursuit. All of these are taken from Lou Priolo's book, "Pleasing People."
1. It is fruitless to try to please people because each person is different and therefore, by pleasing some, you will inevitably displease others.
2. It is unrealistic to try to please people because selfishness distorts their thinking and raises their expectations above what you can reasonably fulfill.
3. It is futile to try to please people because most of them are unregenerate and believe you to be "foolish" and "strange."
4. It is unreasonable to try to please people because even among Christians, judgmental attitudes and critical spirits are all to prevalent.
5. It is futile to try to please people because even Jesus Christ, the Perfect Man, did not please everyone.
6. It is useless to try to please people because they are fundamentally incapable of being pleased by anyone or anything other than Jesus.
1 comment:
I really like his last 2 reasons, made me think. Thanks Andrey for posting this!
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