The Most Important Verse I Ever Learned
The Most Important Verse I Ever Learned
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
I am a classic people pleaser. I mean, for years I struggled with keeping all the different people and groups of people in my life happy. I avoided conflict at all costs. As a result, I made countless poor decisions and looked the other way on countless more, all in the name of pleasing others and “keeping the peace.”
Then I realized two things:
My strategy wasn’t working. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t please everyone.
My people-pleasing efforts were making me sick. I was so stressed by avoiding conflict and by trying to live up to everyone’s expectations that I was basically wearing myself out.
So I began praying for wisdom on how to be less of a pleaser. And God gave be Galatians 1:10. I remember where I was when it slammed into me like a freight train pulling one hundred cars of grace. I’d read it before, but this time it really hit me.
Paul made it so clear for me: Trying to please others isn’t just futile, it’s poor theology. Pleasing others can get very close to idolatry, as we sacrifice anything to gain other’s blessing. And in reality, the only One I’m supposed to live for and try to please is God.
Beyond that, if I was serious about pleasing God I could be sure that I won’t always please others.
God’s message to me that day was unbelievably liberating. It freed me from the futility of trying to keep everyone around me happy, and it called me up to a higher level of commitment to Jesus. My people-pleasing had been snuffing out my discipleship. But when I memorized and applied Galatians 1:10 to my life, everything changed.
Do you struggle with trying to please others? Today, why not do two things:
Focus only on pleasing Jesus. Run every decision and action through the “Is this going to please my Savior?” filter. If you do, you’ll be happier, freer and more fulfilled at the end of the day.
Memorize Galatians 1:10. Then, lie down on that track and let those hundred cars of grace roll all over you.
