Has anyone ever called you a “people pleaser”? How about “too forgiving” or a “doormat”? What about “bossy”? Did you take these titles as a fault in you or as one of your gifts? Most of the time when these things and others like them are said to people, they are meant as faults, something we need to work on in ourselves. What if we flipped the script and looked for the positive in these things? What if these things we consider as faults, were actually given to us as gifts from God to be used for His glory and His good? How could flipping our thinking change the way we use these gifts? Just because we can use them for harm, does not make them bad. There are lots of things that can be used for good or harm, like knives, baseball bats, words, etc., and our gifts can definitely fall in this same category.
I am definitely a people pleaser. I don’t like to make people mad (though I am really good at it). I can’t handle when someone doesn’t like me. I will turn myself inside out and upside down to prevent disappointing people. This has always been something I have felt I need to work on and fix in myself, and people have told me as such. Here is how I see it now, God has given me a gift that the world has twisted, and I have twisted, into being labeled as a people pleaser. Actually, this gift makes me tender to other’s emotions. I like to do things to bring happiness to others and cause them to smile. I am happiest when I am serving others. I forgive people quickly because I would never want to make someone feel bad and I believe everyone needs a little more forgiveness in their life. I love to pour out grace and mercy on people, especially when they don’t deserve it yet need it the most. God has great plans for this gift that I have been considering a fault. How has my twisted thinking caused me to miss opportunities to use my gift for God?
When I misuse this gift or let this gift control me, I am missing the God opportunities to use it for His glory. When I allow this gift to take control away from God is when things can go very wrong. The times when I am frustrated, empty, and not caring for myself because I am focusing too much on pleasing everyone else or when I am spending my time focusing on all the ways I am failing people and letting them down because I could not be everything to them; these are the times that I have put the control in the wrong hands. I have to remember my role, and it is not to be everything to everybody; I am not God, that is His job. My job is to use my gifts according to His plans and His ways.
What if I changed my views on other people’s gifts? I will use my family as examples (which I am sure they will love…LOL). My husband could be called bossy or a perfectionist. God would call it being a leader and someone who strives for excellence in all he tries to do. My husband has the ability to be clear-headed in a crises or stressful situation and decisive in a plan of action. He is always trying to be the best he can be in everything he does and is constantly encouraging other’s to be the best they can be as well. When he is using his gifts for the Lord, he is unstoppable!
My daughter, Elizabeth, is seven years old and full of life, sass and spunk. She can find a “yes” to replace any “no” and her determination is unmatched. Some would call her stubborn, hard-headed, and definitely sassy. God has gifted her with a strong will that will help her break down barriers in life. I have said many times that these things will serve her well in her life, just not while she is in my home. She will be unstoppable in her pursuit of God and His path for her. She is not shy and with her bigger than life personality she is fascinating to listen to and can captivate almost any audience. I can’t wait to see what God has instore for her life.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~ Ephesians 2:10
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” ~ James 1:7
I am so thankful for all the gifts God has given me. Too many times I take for granted all He has given me and forget to use them for His good. I prayI will only get better with my gifts and remain on the path He has prepared for me. I will also be rethinking how I look at other people. Am I seeing faults or gifts? It is a choice, and I will choose to see the gifts.
