Often, we will do or say what someone else may desire in order to gain their acceptance or favor. We do it in spite of the harm it does to us. Some of us have spent years living our lives according to the dictates of others until we don't know who we are as an Individual. We don't know what we personally like or dislike because we haven't come to know OUR likes or dislikes!
This was not God's plan or purpose for our lives. Doing this is called acquiescence or compliance. Acquiescence means: Accepting, agreeing, or submitting to something quietly and without protest, even if you would prefer a different outcome.
Compliance means: Changing your behavior or agreeing to a request because of implicit or explicit pressure, often to fit in, gain approval, or win favor.
People-Pleasing (Sociography) is an ongoing behavioral pattern where a person constantly prioritizes the wishes of others over their own needs to secure acceptance and affection.
When we find ourselves trying to gain the approval of someone else, our focus and desires are with that individual or individuals...Not on God and not on His approval of us. Another human being is just like us, imperfect, flawed, and subject to the Lord's mercy and grace for our every need!
2Peter 1:3 says, "We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness." CEV Bible
Our trying to please others in a way that almost makes that person an idol not only stiffens our growth and well being but goes against the very word of God: "To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?" In other words, there is nothing or anyone equal to God, there is nothing in the physical world that can be compared to Him... everything else we place on a pedestal, human or inanimate objects are idols.
God approved of you before you were in your mother's womb: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew[you, before you were born I set you apart; Jeremiah 1:5
So, let your yes be yes and your no be no! You have already been approved of and accepted...YOU ARE SPECIAL IN GOD'S EYES!
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