30 Days of Surrenderنموونە

Reflection:
People-pleasing was a survival mechanism I learned early in life. As a child, I discovered that pleasing others—saying the right thing, acting the right way, meeting their expectations—was often the only way to avoid conflict or gain acceptance. Over time, it became second nature. My worth felt tied to how others viewed me, and I became consumed with making everyone around me happy, even at the expense of my own needs and boundaries.

This pattern didn’t stay in childhood; it followed me into adulthood, shaping my relationships in unhealthy ways. I struggled to say no, fearing that even the smallest act of disagreement would lead to rejection or disappointment. I found myself bending over backward for others, losing sight of my own identity in the process.

What I didn’t realize was how deeply intertwined people-pleasing was with co-dependency. My happiness became dependent on how others felt about me, and I often took responsibility for their emotions. If someone was upset, I felt it was my job to fix it. If someone was happy, I felt validated. This constant need for external approval left me drained, anxious, and far from the peace God wanted for me.

Galatians 1:10 spoke directly to my heart. It was a wake-up call to examine who I was living for—people or God. I realized I had placed more weight on the opinions of others than on God’s truth about me. I had allowed their approval to dictate my decisions, while God’s approval had taken a back seat.

Learning to break free from people-pleasing meant acknowledging its roots and surrendering my need for human validation to God. It meant trusting that His love for me is unconditional, not based on how well I perform or how many people I make happy. It also meant setting boundaries—something that felt foreign and uncomfortable at first—but necessary for my emotional and spiritual health.

God has been teaching me that my value doesn’t come from others but from Him. He is my source of affirmation, security, and love. By seeking His approval above all, I’ve found freedom from the exhausting cycle of people-pleasing. It’s a daily surrender, but with each step, I’m learning to walk in the identity He’s given me.

Prayer of Surrender:
Lord, I confess my tendency to seek the approval of others above Yours. Help me to break free from people-pleasing and to find my worth in You alone. Teach me to live for Your glory and not for the validation of the world. Give me the courage to set boundaries and the peace to rest in Your unconditional love. Amen.

Action Step:
Reflect on one area of your life where people-pleasing has taken over. Ask yourself, “Am I doing this to honor God or to gain someone’s approval?” Commit this area to God, asking for the strength to make decisions that align with His will instead of seeking human validation.