“When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others,when we are free from currying others approval-then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation.
~Kay Arthur~
Our lives are entangled with the lives of others. We do not live in isolation. So, because we are are in close proximity with others, we often get confused that their approval is the most important thing.
We want to live in the right neighbourhood, drive the right car, wear the right clothing, read the right books and see the right films. "Right" will be be defined differently for each of us because "right" is defined by those with whom we associate. And it can be oh-so-confusing when our groups of association conflict in their definition of "right."
You understand those confusions: the wardrobe that is "too frumpy" for the hip-trendsetters at work but still too "revealing" for the ultra-conservative at church; that quasi-Christian writer that makes you look "cool" to your unchurched friends but make your church friends shake their head in wonderment that you would read that "fluff"; or your "quaint" (according to some friends) belief that your husband is the leader of your home. Which group is right? And by exclusion then, which group is wrong? And where does that leave you, when your choices are appropriate for where God is leading you at the time?
Right does not have to be defined by our friends. Right is defined by God within our relationship with Him. If we seek to be attuned to God's direction in our life, He will direct us to "right." He won't lead us into wrong choices. It all comes down to what voice do we hear--God's or the crowd's? I want to hear God's and be able to rest assuredly in those decisions.
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:24
I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23
Father, help me to push aside the voices that detract me and make me unsettled with the life You give me. Help me to only hear Your Voice of Truth. Make me content in the things that You have blessed me by giving. Please direct my path, today and always. Amen.
Today's hostess for In Other Words is Denise. You can visit her site to link to others writing on this quote, or post a link to your own post. Have a blessed day!
10 comments:
I enjoyed your post, bless you dear.
You described the conflict very well, MiPa. Have you been in my head? I, too, pray He will help us push aside the voices we should not trust. Good post, friend.
..."Right is defined by God within our relationship with Him. If we seek to be attuned to God's direction in our life, He will direct us to "right."
This was just great, and so TRUE. I think you summed it all up just perfectly with that statement.
Thanks!!!
Wonderful post my friend!
You are so right! Your post hit the nail on the head, so to speak. God bless you for offering such insight to this people-pleasing lifestyle I lead. It provides me with some good food for thought and the verses are like manna this morning. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. It's like your post was meant just for me. Bless you...
Wow...my jaw just dropped at your wonderful post and the verses you provide just convicted my heart. God bless you for sharing this IOWT and I so appreciate your comment on my blog, I really did need to hear that!!
Right is defined by God, love it. Thanks for hitting the nail on the head and sharing with us.
Great post! I love the verses!
Be blessed!
Do I ever understand....
"You understand those confusions: the wardrobe that is "too frumpy" for the hip-trendsetters at work but still too "revealing" for the ultra-conservative at church; that quasi-Christian writer that makes you look "cool" to your unchurched friends but make your church friends shake their head in wonderment that you would read that "fluff"; or your "quaint" (according to some friends) belief that your husband is the leader of your home. Which group is right? And by exclusion then, which group is wrong? And where does that leave you, when your choices are appropriate for where God is leading you at the time?"
You got it....Great post!!
Peace,
lori
great post, i love the prayer at the end!
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