The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 55
Obey God Instead of Pleasing Men!
…We ought to obey God rather than men.
– Acts 5:29
I was a people pleaser. I did whatever I was told or asked because I always wanted to please everyone. You tell me jump and I would ask how high. Sometimes what was required of me was uncomfortable for me but I dared not say no because I was too afraid of disappointing others. There were times when what was required of me, I knew I couldn’t do but I still said yes, I put myself out of the way to accomplish the task so that I can please others. Once I remember saying yes to helping someone do something and I couldn’t because I wasn’t feeling well at the time. I was so angry with myself for not keeping my promise even though I had no control over being ill. I feared that the person wouldn’t understand and I knew she was very disappointed because it was something very important to her. Furthermore, I was so obedient that I never challenged or questioned my parents’ and guardians’ authority as some teenagers do. They only had to talk to me once and I obeyed immediately. Trying to please everyone is very hard mental and emotional work and contributed to my experience with severe anxiety and depression.
In the book of Acts chapter 5 we read how that the Apostles’ ministry was a blessing to many as there were many signs and wonders wrought by their hands. The sick was healed, the demon oppressed were delivered, many people came to know the Lord as multitudes followed them. Nevertheless, the Apostles were arrested and put in the common prison because the high priest and the sect of the Sadducees rose up, filled with indignation because they had already warned them not to continue to teach in the name of Jesus. However, when the Apostles were brought before the council and the high priest asked them if they didn’t strictly command them not to teach in this name, the Apostles’ response was “…We ought to obey God rather than men.” They didn’t shirk because of threats of grave consequences. They continued to pursue the will of the Lord who had commissioned them into all the word.
I have come to realize that I really can’t please everyone. Some persons are conventional and they wouldn’t be pleased by somethings I do or say because they rub them the wrong way. However, there are those who are being helped as they find healing and deliverance by what I share but most importantly, I am continually being healed and delivered from the prison in which I have been locked in for too long. Hence, while I respect the opinions of the persons who are conventional as I too was very conservative, like the Apostles I would rather obey God than men. Sometimes God calls us to do somethings that are outside of the traditional and religious customs of our society. Somethings with which some conventional persons would not be pleased and would even believe that such things are not of God. It is expected that by my pleasing God some people would be uncomfortable, but I am here for the ones who would find healing and deliverance that they have long been waiting for. Healing and deliverance that they would not have otherwise received if I had remained conservative and silent about the realities that are plaguing many for decades. Even if it is one person, then my sharing is worth it. The season in which I am currently in I am not looking to please persons, been there, done that, and I make no apologies. For too long I have listened to too many different voices and allowed those voices to influence my choices. I am only listening to one voice in this season and that’s the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Believers, if you are struggling to obey God because you are afraid that by obeying God some people would be offended and you want to please everyone, know like the Apostles that it’s better to obey God than to please men because everyone wouldn’t be pleased with you anyway. It doesn’t matter what you do or say, there are those who will be uncomfortable. However, once you know for sure that you have heard from God, obey quickly, because as my adopted mother has been saying to me from the time we met, there are others waiting on the other side of your obedience.
Shalom!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Daddy, I worship You and bless Your Holy name. You are my Great Deliver. Thank You for delivering me from the bondage of people pleasing and giving me the courage and boldness to obey you at all cost. I declare that I will always obey God rather than men even who others are uncomfortable or not pleased by my actions and words. I declare that my obedience in God yields much fruit so that others will be edified and God glorified. Therefore, the plans of the enemy to sabotage the work of the Lord in and through my life are nullified right now in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
