Pleasing People vs. Loving People

For many years, I have struggled with confusing these two things.

I’m beginning to understand the distinction as I get older.

Pleasing people:

Can be Stressful

Can Cause worry

Can stir up strife

Can bring division

Can Cause envy

Can cause us to focus on our own ego.

When we are trying to please people—we will have with it expectations from the person(s) we are trying to please. We will never meet anyone that will meet the expectations perfectly.

In short, I have found pleasing people turns out to not have much to do with the other person and more about what’s happening on the inside of me. Maybe I’m really just trying to please me not others, now that’s a thought.

Pleasing people is small minded and comes with baggage.

On the contrary, love is so much bigger than me. Real love can’t be limited the way pleasing people can. Real love is free and not a burden. Love doesn’t have expectations. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrong. Love tears down walls, it doesn’t put them up.

If there is conflict when all your doing is loving that person, rest easy—remember it’s not about pleasing them. Shake the dust off your feet, move on and keep on loving them.

We are called to please God not man. When we put that as priority we can love our fellow man the way we are called to.

Pleasing people starts with me and ends with me. Loving people starts with God and ends with God.

I don’t have this down the way I wish I did, but God is gracious. He is sufficient and helping me in my weakness.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Have a blessed weekend!

Johanna