Sunday, February 3, 2013

Are We Playing Games?


“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men. If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Why are we so eager to impress people? Many of us are so eager to impress others with our friendship, gifts and devotion; we act and behave differently when we are with our family than we do with our friends and those we work with. But are we playing games with ourselves; are we being authentic and sincere when we go out of our way to make a good impression so that everyone thinks we are unique and special? Other peoples opinions matter to us, and we often wonder what others are thinking about us; we have this hunger to be needed and appreciated.

But I wonder…

Are we trying too hard?  How real to we keep it? Who are we really trying to impress? Doesn't the bible make it clear that we must seek to impress God alone?

Many people live their lives trying to impress everyone regardless of how stressful it can be or how unhappy it makes them. It’s only natural to try and please others, be accepted, and fit in with the group. We are taught in this life that there are winners and losers, and we want to be a winner at whatever cost. Sometimes I just have to smile in wonder at why some people try so hard to make themselves look good in front of others (not to be judgmental; I have certainly been in that position before!) But really…are we who people think we are, or are we just playing games? Does our need to impress others ever drown out our ability to hear God? He created us all with a purpose in mind, and that might mean that we define success differently than our family and friends, we might have different interests and tastes, or we might even walk down a path that others are not willing to follow. Being authentic means walking in faith and accepting exactly who God made us to be; it’s about being true to ourselves and practice what we believe regardless of what others might think.

“Each one should test his own actions. Then He can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” (Galatians 6:4)

Trying to always please everyone can be an emotional trap when we are constantly worried about what we look like, how we behave, or what we have. And haven’t we all realized that there are just some people we just can’t please? It can be exhausting trying to be liked and accepted, always worrying about what others opinions are of us. That’s when the games begin, when we don’t have the courage to allow people to see the real person we are inside. But faith dares us to be who God made us to be, and He Himself has the ultimate say about who we are; we certainly don’t have to go out of our ways to impress anyone else. When we stop worrying about comparing ourselves to others we learn to connect with people by expressing our true self; we learn that there is no need to be someone we’re not. That’s when we can relax, drop everything that is false or untrue, and rejoice in being who God created us to be.

 Linking up this week with:


USE this for BLOG

15 comments:

  1. Good post Denise. These days, I try and be myself. The one my Heavenly Daddy created me to be. Just Be Real.

    Blessings to you dear one.

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    1. Your blog title says it all Grace; I have no doubt that you are a genuine and authentic (and beautiful!) person! Just who God created you to be! Blessings dear friend...

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  2. Hi Denise
    I am glad you linked-up at Charlotte's for this is one lesson we all need to hear often! Oh, what a joyful day when we break free of this bondage. Our Lord loves us just as we are and changes us little by little, but He appreciate honesty!
    Much love
    Mia

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    1. As always, I love your thoughtful comments Mia; you are such a sweet blessing to me! Enjoy a week full of His grace and love!

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  3. All I can say is AMEN...preach it sista....You have a way with words and you certainly put them together in a most pleasing and convicting way today...It think the struggle between pleasing man and God is an on going struggle because we live in an earthly body but citizens of another world....The focus should always be on pleasing God first and allowing Him to lead us into the life He has designed for us....
    Love ya sweet girl...

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    1. Thanks dear Nancy; your enthusiasm reflects what a beautiful and sincere person you are, and must lift others up daily! Blessings sweet sister!

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  4. Denise - What an ever continual battle this is for me. Breaking out of the shell of "man's" approval. I think woman really struggle, as we are taught so often to live for imagine or how others want us to behave, act, or be. So thankful for His grace....that loves us even we are unloving. His merciful...never failing, even when others may reject us. And His forgiveness...that continually washes us, even when we miss the bar & find ourselves stumbling.

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    1. Agreed, Jen. I think as I get older I become less sensitive to others opinions, and stay focused more on just being me....but it's been a challenge over the years!

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  5. I agree with Mia this is an issue we can all stand to be reminded regularly. We each know it's truth but it's so easy to get tangled up in the pleasing game because we long for acceptance. And it feels more comfortable being part of group than standing on the outside.

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    1. Oh yes, that acceptance thing! Such a hurdle to get over; thankful that my God, close family and friends love me just the way I am! :) blessings Wanda!

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  6. Just letting you know I am visiting thru Pamela's blog and whole heartily agree with your authenticity post. Sometimes it is hard to see who I really am, much less how others view me. A good post.

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  7. I agree that being authentic is being who God made us to be and not worrying about how others see us. People pleasing is something that I've struggled with in my life.

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  8. Being real has always been important to me.

    By the way, love all your hearts!

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  9. Great message, Denise. Yes, I have often been caught up in the trap of trying to please others (which is hard because most of the time I can't even please myself!).

    I try to remind myself that I really only have an Audience of One - and HE is the only One I really care to please. I try to live my life in a way that when He greets me on Heaven's shore, I hear these blessed words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

    GOD BLESS!

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  10. Thank you for this informative and sensing blog! I am grateful that you dare to write about. Especially when someone hurts me I feel a sort of assertiveness. Then I am trying to impress such person. But thats not what Jesus should do ...

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