Saturday, 24th May, 2025
Bible Reading: Mark 12: 30-31
Memory Verse: Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice. Proverbs 29:26 (ESV)
Shall we continue with our series on, ‘Shut the door’ as we look into People Pleasing.
6. PEOPLE PLEASING: Be warned: This is one of those headings you must handle with great caution because there’s a thin line that separates a life that seeks to please oneself (Mr flesh) versus having a good personal opinion of who God has created you to be. The Bible encourages us to love our neighbours as ourselves. But, there are many, who, for the purpose of validation from their friends, parents, neighbours, colleagues, or teachers, now exalt others above God and themselves. These sets of people are called people pleasers.
People-pleasing is a pattern of behaviours that involves prioritizing the needs of others over your own to avoid rejection, criticism, or embarrassment. People pleasers often care a lot about what others think of them, find it hard to say no to requests, take on extra work even when they don’t have the time, overcommit to plans, responsibilities, or projects, avoid advocating for their own needs.
People-pleasing can be linked to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma bonds in childhood, experiences of violence, emotional unavailability, or narcissistic parents or partners, growing up in a family that avoided or had a lot of conflicts, chronic stress, perfectionism, and fear of conflict. People pleasing is exhausting, causes harm in relationship, sets you at war with Christ, is not God’s design, and it’s a fickle way to find acceptance or significance. The way out involves:
1. Self-Awareness: Recognize the patterns of people-pleasing behaviour and understand the underlying reasons for it.
2. Setting Boundaries: Learn to say “no” without guilt and prioritize your own needs and well-being as well.
3. Building Self-Esteem: Focus on self-acceptance and self-compassion. Recognise your worth in Christ Jesus independent of others’ opinions.
4. Be fair and firm: Communicate your needs and opinions respectfully and confidently in love.
5. Seeking Support: Consider seeking guidance from a therapist or counsellor to address deep-rooted issues and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
In conclusion, Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ“
Quote: People pleasing is idolatry. You should please God, the giver of your very life, than any man.
Prophetic Decree: Let the chain of any form of physical, mental or spiritual slavery, break over you, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. O Lord, please forgive me of any form of idolatry, in Jesus name.
2. My Father, please help me to esteem you far above myself, my will, and any other person, in Jesus name.
3. Every spell of manipulation cast on me, be neutralised by the Blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
4. Every damage caused by low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, family dysfunctionality, last relationships, stress, perfectionism, and fear, be repaired, in Jesus name.
5. Balm of Gilead, heal any dysfunctionality in mindset and outlook to life, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 108-110
