Sunday, January 25, 2009

I am a recovering.....

People Pleaser!
Hi My name is Bridget and I'm a Blogaholic and recovering people pleaser. LOL

My mom and I had a two hour drive yesterday which left us with time to talk. She said something that stuck in my head. Be a God Pleaser not a people pleaser. I have worried all my life about pleasing people. Worried about what other people will think or say about me. Well, as I am getting older I am trying to concentrate on pleasing God and not others.

“I really don’t care what people think anymore.” I am not saying that to be rude, disrespectful, crude, cocky… but God is blessing me with the spiritual gift of “I really don’t care what people think!” This does not mean that I am not compassionate, loving, caring, considerate, thoughtful, or appreciative. As a matter of fact it’s quite the contrary. My decision making comes from a source, other than peoples opinion! I really think that has to be the case for all of us.

The bottom line is that we need to seek to please God and quit worrying about pleasing people. We need to examine our thoughts, feelings, motives and behaviors; as well as placing God’s desires together with our personal desires before others approval. I am not certain that “People Pleasers” are pleasing God, just people!

I never was going to have more than 2 children, homeschool or preach about Jesus on a blog because I was afraid of not pleasing ya' all...

Are you, or do you know a “People Pleaser?” What are your thoughts, feelings and perspectives about people pleasing? You can be honest and can say what you mean, because “I really don’t care what you think!” Posting this in Love!

15 comments:

Abbi said...

powerful words that your mom had to say!! she's right though!! i have a hard time with that also! God doesn't want us to please othters....he wants us to just worship him, lead people to him and love him!

Christy said...

Alright I must comment now! I love your blog! I don't remeber how I stumbled across it but have been following for a few months now. Your adorable and your family is precious! I just loved this post and think I needed to hear it! Thanks for putting out there things that are true for so many! I am really going to try this week to work more on pleasing God and not others! I think I might have to get the book you recommend as well! Anyways jsut wanted to encourage you to keep up the great blog! I enjoy it so.....Christy
(I do have a blog put rarley post, whatever, I should but enjoy reading others...:) )

Anonymous said...

just curious, are you married, you never talk about your husband and i see maybe one or a couple pictures with you and a man.

Jannette Thrasher said...

I have a friend that told me that she was tired of offending people because she had a bold and sarcastic personality. She said that she could not change her personality for others or try to be someone she was not, and that she was tired of trying to please everyone. I told her that I have always been sort of a piglet with no education. I told her that I was tired of trying to justify my timmidity and pretend to be someone I am not. we both agreed that we were who God made us to be. Now there are some things that I personaly don't like about myself and I pray that God will take away or change. But the cool thing about my friend and I is that inspite of our total opposite personalities, we still have been long time friends, even after problably unitentionally offending one another on a multiple times. but I also have to say that I have no best friends except for my Hubby, & Jesus. And I know for sure that they accept me flaws and all, and have forgiven me many times over, and have accepted me for who I am. I am one who prays for thick skin. I am a big baby sometimes. My hubby and I are opposites. He is very good for me. He keeps me in check and helps me to not worry so much about the most petty things. I am bold for Christ Jesus and my faith. But I am a big worry wart otherwise. I'm rambling. But WHO CARES?LOL.

God bless, and may God continue to pour out His wisdom on you as you teach your little ducklings.

Ice Queen said...

Scripture says "It is better to please God, then man" Amen!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bridget,

Beautiful post, your mom is right! I work in academics and man it's hard not to go nuts, ya think kids drive us crazy try over-intellegent ego-maniac scientists....but it is a job I love. Working in this field I have also learned we are all on this earth for a reason and for the purpose God has intended. In another post of yours you mentioned the eye lash medicine and about being as long as a giraffe eyelashes which I think we listen to the same radio staion KSGN they have been talking about it...anyways what I am trying to say it, the professors hear my music playing and they say "your a christian"?....my reply...yep! and proudly. I tell them that I need divine intervention to deal with you all...they laugh! I teach CCD and this is exactly what I spoke of yesterday. God Bless you Bridget, your an inspiration!

Marie

Anonymous said...

I totally agree, Bridget. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but I am trying! :) I read the book The Search for Significance last year, and it really made me aware of what a people-pleaser I am and how wrong it is. I highly recommend it!

I am trying to keep my eyes on the Lord, rather than others...

Twisted Cinderella said...

I am SUCH a people pleaser but I do feel I am learning to strike a balance.

Laura said...

I don't know anybody who doesn't struggle with this same thing to some degree, myself included. Bridget - since I met you in jr. high/high school, you have always been influential to those around you...its wonderful that you can use that gift from the Lord to influence others for His sake...keep preaching it!

debbie said...

I am so proud of you. You are growing into a wonderful woman who loves the Lord. There is no way to be a God pleaser without the Lord, who will continue the work He has begun in us. He gives us the desires to be like Him and He will give us the strength to live for Him. We need to be willing to follow and obey Him no matter the cost. And yes, Bridget does have a wonderful husband. My son-in law Justin has been in her life since High School. He is a wonderful husband and father. She has quite a few pictures on her blog, and comments about him, you just have to go back to older posts. There is no way my precious daughter could do what she does if it were not for Justin. He works hard to provide so she can be a stay at home mom and homeschool her children. Thank God for husbands who often take a back seat to us bragging on kids and grandkids first.

Anonymous said...

Debbie, you must be so proud of your daughter.....I would! You have a beautiful family!

Brianna said...

surfnUSA: You don't see a man in alot of the pictures because that man is out working to provide for all of those 5 kids :)

Bridget said...

Marie...Thanks! Yes, KSGN rocks:) We all love it and play it really loud in the car! I'll have to steal your line..I need divine intervention to deal with you all...that's a good one:)haha!

Bridget said...

p.s. yes these babies have a babies daddy....I'm happily married!!!

Shawnee said...

I am a people pleaser as well. God is working in me to really just concentrate on what He says about me and not what my friends and family say. I have been readying Joyce Meyer's Approval Addiction it has been liberating!
I pray you have a blessed week!