By Andrea Merrell
Let’s just go
ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing
ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
Romans 12:6 MSG
Fear comes in many forms, but one of the worst is
fear of rejection … which leads to frustration and disappointment … which leads
to insecurity … which leads to a lifetime of unsuccessful people-pleasing.
For years I battled with low self-esteem and spent
most of my time trying to measure up to what I thought others expected of me. I
became the ultimate people-pleaser. Since it never seemed to work—no matter how
hard I tried—I always felt like a failure, never knowing my true self or worth.
I was always trying to find myself and where I fit. I feared rejection and
found myself being controlled by others.
My life drastically changed when I finally found myself—in Christ. The revelation
of His love for me turned everything around, especially the way I viewed
myself.
Pastor and author Bob Gass says:
People who succeed at
being themselves don’t let others control them. They see themselves as God sees
them; therefore, they’re led by His Word instead of the fear of rejection. You
can invest so much effort in trying to keep everyone happy that you end up
losing yourself.
I’ve learned that what other people think is not
my problem—unless I make it my problem. My first and foremost concern is
pleasing God with my thoughts, words, and actions. My only responsibility is to
be who He created me to be. When I try to be someone else, my life becomes all
about pretense. When I imitate others and try to be someone or something I’m
not, I run the risk of forfeiting God’s blessings, because God can’t bless an
imitation.
When we are secure in who we are in Christ—loved,
forgiven, redeemed, accepted, unique—the scattered pieces of our life come
together to form the picture of us that God sees as complete and perfect.
Don’t let others control you by their unrealistic
expectations. Your security and self-worth are only found in Him—and He is the
only One you need to please.
No comments:
Post a Comment