Stepping Stones: Who Do You Fear?

Transformational Tip
Share your cookie…say nice things…let your friend go first…let’s not keep score to promote sportsmanship. The Golden Rule - Love your neighbor as yourself. We all learned, or were at least lectured, about the importance of being nice to others. Pleasing people can be quite rewarding…not pleasing people can bring a lot of downside. One key is, “what motivates me to please people?”

I just recently came to the realization of just how much of my life is controlled and hampered by fear of people. This condition has been so prevalent in my life that I failed to recognize it most of my life…I just accepted it as part of my daily existence. My fear does not come from thinking they will hurt me or do me harm, my fear comes from the possibility of displeasing them and therefore not getting what I need (or think I need) from them.

Today, stop and think about how much of your life is hampered by fear of people. Then try this two-pronged approach for dealing with this crippling fear. First, replace your fear of displeasing people with the dread of displeasing the Lord of your universe. Secondly, develop a deeper trust in God. Instead of trying to please people so they will give you what you want, trust in Him – the Supplier of all your needs. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on who you fear and why.

Prayer
O God, The fear of displeasing people is so deeply engrained in my mind. I am too concerned about displeasing them or looking foolish in their eyes. I confess, Father, that I am a people pleaser, but I deeply desire to change this. Help me to worry more about displeasing You. Help me, Father, to trust You more…to trust that I will get everything I need from You…not other people. I pray in the name of the ultimate pleaser of the world, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:25
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1,2