Faith

---

Recently I heard a very good sermon on this topic and wanted to share some thoughts with you. Do you aim to please people or God? I think as women we often are people pleasers, we try to keep everyone happy. Often we keep everyone happy at the expense of ourselves. What does the Bible say about whom we are to please? In 2 Corinthians 5:9 it says, “So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” Colossians 1:10 says, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

So, I would like you to ask yourself some questions and I hope they change your perspective like they did mine:

1. Do I seek the praise of others more than God?

2. Do I truly believe that I am God’s child and He loves me no matter what? There is nothing I can do to lose His love.

3. Do I seek to please God?

4. When people see my life do they see I’m more concerned about myself or others?

5. Do people see Jesus in me? Do people see Jesus’ love expressed through me to them?

As children of God we reflect God’s characteristics. Jesus is living in us so we reflect His love to others. In our work place, home life, and church life we need to be sure we don’t stamp the name of Jesus on anything we would be ashamed of or He would be ashamed of. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Jesus lives in us and we are His ambassadors to a hurting world. Listen to this statement from the sermon, “All of me belongs to all of Christ, all of Christ belongs to all of me.” Spend some time pondering that statement. There is nothing we can separate from Christ. We are Christ followers and people do see Jesus in us. What characteristics of Jesus are they seeing?

In conclusion, I’m afraid most of us spend more time trying to please others than pleasing God. How different would our lives be and look like if our focus was on pleasing our heavenly Father and not others. When we please our heavenly Father we will give and love others sacrificially. We need to long to hear from God, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” instead of the praise of men or women. Remember who is living in you and through you. You love others not through your own strength and power, but through the power of Jesus Christ.

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of 2 ebooks, Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms and Help! My Preteen/Teenager is Driving me Nuts. You can find both of those books at www.christianworkingmom.com.  Also, check out her blog and Online Bible Study as well.  You can have coaching tips delivered to your email box daily, find out more at http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE