People-pleaser

That’s me. My bent is to do what pleases people.

But God has called me to lead His people.

And leading people doesn’t always mean pleasing people.

Which means leaders who are also people-pleasers will often feel insecure.

Sunday morning

So there I was Sunday morning before our worship gathering — feeling insecure.

Actually, it was worse than insecure. I was fearful.

The elders and home group leaders of Mercy Hill have prayed and talked and believe we have been leading the church in God’s direction.

But for some reason Sunday morning I was wondering —

do we really have God’s wisdom?

what about people who might not be happy?

maybe this direction is just OUR OWN idea.

maybe we aren’t pursuing God’s direction at all?

Fear and faith

Fear means there’s something wrong with my faith — I’m not trusting all that God promises to be to me in Christ Jesus (Isa 12:2; Mark 4:40; Heb 11:27).

In this case, I was not trusting God’s promise to guide us, direct us, and correct us (Psa 25:8; James 1:5).

So what can I do?



When it comes to understanding God’s leading, there are three possibilities —

I am sinfully missing God’s leading. (I don’t want God’s leading.)

I am mistakenly missing God’s leading. (I want God’s leading — but misunderstand it.)

I am accurately understanding God’s leading. (I want it and rightly understand it.)

So Sunday morning I prayed something I pray almost daily —

Convict me of sin. Correct my mistakes. Confirm where I am right.

CONVICT ME — of my sin.

This is a prayer God will always answer, if we pray it from the heart (Psa 139:23-24; John 16:8-10). So I prayed —

“Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I long to know Your will for this church.

“But pride and ambition and stubbornness can blind me.

“So please — please — show me any sin that’s in the way.

“And then give me grace to repent so I can clearly see Your will.”

CORRECT ME — concerning my mistakes.

God promises to give all the wisdom we need (James 1:5), including the wisdom to know when we are mistaken. So I prayed —

“Father, I know that I might be wrong — not because of sin, but because of stupidity.

“If so — please show me.

“I don’t want to stand before You in heaven and have You say — “What were you thinking?”

“I’d rather hear that now — so I can make changes now.

“So please — please — correct me where I am making mistakes.”

CONFIRM ME — where I am right.

When we are unsure of God’s leading, and need more confirmation, God will give it.

He did this for Gideon (Judges 6:36ff). He did this for David (1Sam 23:1ff). He will do it for me. So I prayed —

“Father, I am fearful and doubting. I’m wondering if we are on track with Your will.

“All I want is Your will — to know I am obeying You — to know You are pleased.

“So I plead with You to give me confirmation right now — or conviction or correction — whatever I need.

“Don’t pass me by. Don’t leave me without assurance.

“Help me.”



What happened

I usually don’t receive answers this quickly or powerfully.

But Sunday morning as I prayed I suddenly felt God pouring His love and favor upon me.

He was there — assuring, encouraging, affirming.

He was not saying I am sinless — that I make no mistakes — that the elders and home group leaders are leading perfectly.

But He was confirming that we are in His will — following His lead.

My fear and insecurity were gone. My heart was at peace. I was ready to lead.

Take-away

Don’t live in fear. Press in to the Lord Jesus with earnest and honest prayer.

He will meet you — strengthen you — help you.

He promises (Psa 34:4).

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