Would you consider yourself a people pleaser? Most of us would say “yes” without hesitation. It’s great to want to make people happy, and it’s great to feel accepted by people, however, people pleasing can become dangerous! Read this story I found that illustrates my point.
A Man and his son were going to the market with their Donkey. As they were walking along the road by the donkey’s side, a man passed them and said: “You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?”
So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: “See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.”
So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn’t gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: “Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along.”
Well, the Man didn’t know what to do, but at last he took his Boy and placed him in front of himself on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey with you and your large son?”
The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey’s feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to MarketBridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together caused it to drown.
Wow, there can sure be some dangers to trying to make everyone happy at the same time. As a matter of fact, it’s impossible. Join us Sunday at FBC Henderson as we continue our journey through the book of Galatians and talk about “The Pitfalls of People Pleasing.” I’ll see you Sunday!
“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.” Galatians 1:10