“Well-Pleasing to God”

It is a natural human desire to want to please others. In fact, many of us, especially women, have been trained to do or say the pleasing thing. I, for one, struggled with this misconception of pleasing people for a long time. It was so hard for me to understand why, when I tried so hard to please others, I never pleased anyone, and felt very stressed out and miserable. I am so grateful to have found this church, and to have received help from a practitioner to overcome this wrongful, enslaving tendency.

In Hebrews we read, “Now the God of peace, . . . make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Christ Jesus; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” When we come to have God as our Father, as our Rock, as our Guide, which are all Biblical terms describing Him, He becomes the very focus of our life. We learn to turn to Him for every decision we make, for every word that we say, even for every thought we think. He truly is our best and ever Friend; therefore, pleasing Him (and not people) becomes what is first and foremost in our life. This is a wonderful and liberating experience; and, as our Teacher lovingly pointed out, “When you please God, you will please those who are also following His will, and it doesn’t really matter about the rest!”

Pleasing God consistently takes practice; and we all are given many opportunities each day to sharpen this ability. The knowledge that we have pleased God becomes apparent when we feel the unspeakable peace He gives to those who obey Him. It is helpful to keep in our heart the verses from Colossians: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”