The Hardest Thing

Any Christ-follower can tell you that in our individual walks, we will face a variety of trials and temptations. We will face natural consequences for our sins, and we will face 'unfair' consequences of another's sin. But if we look back over our shoulder at the rough terrain, places we've fallen time and again, we will recognize that some of us fight some of the same battles over and over again.

A good friend recently told me, "Sometimes God lets you keep experiencing the same trial until you give up control and handle it His way."

And that, my friends, is the the hardest thing.

What issue or circumstance reoccurs for you over and over again? For me, hands down, the biggest issue I face is wanting to please all people all the time. And lest you think I am exaggerating the point, my beautiful mom gave me a book for my 22nd birthday, entitled "Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone." Hmmm, I think she was giving me a rather broad hint. She and I laughed about this over the next couple of years. Though an avid reader, I never did read this book, and it got "lost" in one of our moves. Perhaps I was avoiding the issue. People pleasing has become such a part of my personality that those closest to me often joke about the fact.

But the thing about pleasing people is, you are bound to always upset someone.

And more importantly, I have realized lately, in my efforts to keep the peace at all costs , I don't listen to the one Voice I need to. The only Voice that really matters.

I grieve the Spirit when I don't listen. When I forge ahead in my own power, with my own words, trying to fix everything. Quite bluntly, I have a big heart but a bigger mouth. And an overriding need to make sure that everyone is happy with me.

My mom is now in heaven where she is no longer concerned with people pleasing. (I think it's genetic.) But God has taken over, gently prying my hands away from my eyes and ears, giving me more opportunities to show that His voice is more important than the static surrounding me. And in my case, that means going very much against the habits and style I have perfected over my lifetime. It means there are those who are mad at me. It means that I am willing to take an arrow for the sake of what is right and not defend myself. It means that once I've spoken truth in love, I have to stand - maybe alone. It means I do what I feel the Spirit leading me to do without constantly asking others to validate me or lead me.

Now I am not saying anything against the Godly council of trusted friends. Nor am I stating that I have to have my sword drawn, brashly proclaiming "truth" and offending all who come near me. What I am saying is each day I have to newly surrender my heart and thoughts to God and ask Him to lead me in the circumstances thrown at me.

On the other end are those who spurn all commonsense and Godly council and have their own brand of spirituality. They 'hear' God in a myriad of convenient ways... wait, I think I feel a whole other blog coming on.

I will quit for now and leave you with this thought: God's Spirit is alive and active and gives more sound and sure leading than the best of friends or family. I would suggest giving Him a try, even if that means He is about to change your whole way of doing things. It's worth it, friends!