I was just yesterday talking to a friend. We were discussing a study she was doing and how she suddenly realized that we all wear masks. We try to please others by becoming who and what we think they want us to be. I agreed there is much truth in that. As a former people pleaser, I aimed to please those close to me, often at my expense.
I attempted to please people so much that it became expected of me, and I naturally submitted. I gave and gave of myself until I found myself so fully drained I had not one ounce of me to spare for myself or often for God.
People took for granted that I had my own personality, opinions, and preference. Even I forgot.
Unfortunately, these people were so used to me bending to meet their needs they seldom thought of me as a person with feelings, and a heart that was capable of breaking. Then I noticed that when my own desires and wishes were expressed, I was often met with resentment and opposition, and made to feel guilty for having any desires at all. No matter how hard I tried, it was never enough. As a child, striving to please without question was all I knew, so that was naturally carried into my adult life. As an adult I found myself submitting to others’ wants without regarding myself. This was so deeply ingrained in me it had become my only method to gain the desperately needed love and acceptance I longed for all my life. Sadly, one day I realized that the love and acceptance I thought I was receiving was not love or acceptance at all.
Then I came across this verse and it really blew me away.
Jesus speaking: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not accept Me; but if someone else comes in His own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” John 5:43-44
Isn’t that what wearing masks and people pleasing is all about? Isn’t it about gaining glory or acceptance from those around us so that we feel better about ourselves?
This verse opened my eyes to be all that I could be for the Lord. To strive to please only Him, and every thing else will fall in its place.
“The Lord delights in those who fear or reverence Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11
As Abraham Lincoln put it: “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
People are so fickle anyway. One moment they adore you, then at the drop of a hat they are upset over something seemingly insignificant.
But God promises to love us all of the time no matter how big our baggage is, whether a duffle bag full or a truck load. All He wants in return is our love and faith in Him.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us…” 1 John 4:9-10
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By ~ Elizabeth Yalian 2014 ©http://hiseyeisonthissparrow.com. ♛
HIS EYE IS ON THIS SPARROW TOO Still Learning to Lean on God 
Beautifully written!!
Thank you, Cheryl!