Say Yes to God or People?

On your holy road of faith-based recovery, one of the most profound struggles is the tension between seeking to please God and the often overwhelming desire to please people. People-pleasing can feel like an addiction in itself. It’s a relentless pursuit of approval that leaves us drained, fake, and disconnected from our true purpose. The Bible reminds us in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This verse cuts to the chase. Our primary calling is to align ourselves with God’s will, not to long for the fleeting validation of others. In recovery, this shift in focus is not just liberating but essential. When we prioritize pleasing God, we find a steady anchor for our identity and purpose. It’s one that doesn’t waver with the opinions of those around us. This Godly alignment empowers us to make choices rooted in faith, truth, love, and integrity, rather than fear or the need for acceptance and validation by people.

People-pleasing, while often disguised as kindness or humility, can easily lead us astray from the path God has set for us. It tempts us to compromise our values, silence our convictions, or overextend ourselves to the point of exhaustion. In our faith walk, boundaries and self-care are critical to our spiritual health. The habit of pleasing others can be particularly destructive. We may say “yes” to others when our hearts scream “no,” or we may hide our struggles to avoid judgment, all in an effort to maintain an image of acceptability. Yet, Psalm 139:14 declares that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” crafted by God with a unique purpose. To please people at the expense of God’s design is to reject the beauty of who He created us to be. Recovery calls us to break free from this cycle by seeking God’s approval above all else. When we do, we discover that His love is unconditional, His grace is sufficient, and His guidance is unwavering… all qualities no human applause can ever match.

Choosing to please God over people doesn’t mean we become cold or dismissive toward others. Instead, it frees us to love authentically, without the chains of expectation. Jesus modeled this perfectly: He spoke truth, extended compassion, and walked in obedience to our Father, even when it made Him unpopular. In recovery, and in our walk with jesus, this example must become our roadmap. We learn to set healthy boundaries, not to push others away, but to honor the temple God has entrusted to us, which consists of our bodies, minds, souls, and spirits. We share our testimonies, not to gain admiration, but to glorify the One who brought us through. We serve others, not out of obligation, but from a heart overflowing with gratitude for God’s mercy. This shift transforms our relationships, allowing us to offer genuine love and support without losing ourselves in the process. It’s a love that reflects God’s heart, rooted in truth and grace, rather than the shaky foundation of human approval. Will we lose some people along the way? Yes, we can; however, who wants to be with people who tear us away from Jesus and our calling.

Ultimately, the choice to please God over people is a daily submission and surrender, whether it’s during recovery or thereafter. It requires prayer, discernment, and courage to trust that God’s plan is greater than our need for validation. Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” As we submit and surrender our people-pleasing tendencies, we step into the freedom of living for an audience of One. This freedom doesn’t come without challenges. There will be moments of loneliness, misunderstanding, or rejection. Yet, in those moments, we find God’s presence closer than ever, guiding us toward wholeness. For those in recovery, this is the ultimate victory: a life no longer dictated by the approval of others, but by the unchanging love and purpose of God. By seeking to please Him, we not only heal but thrive, becoming beacons of His light in a world desperate for authentic faith.

Have a blessed rest of your day by choosing wisely.