People Pleasing Poison

Well, I finally came to some answers this morning.

While watching a much enjoyed TV evangelist this morning he finally verbalized the truth about himself.

Joel Osteen, either loved or hated by many, was speaking about the dangers of being a people pleaser. I have enjoyed Joel for a long time now after getting over the intense need to mock his niceness. Lol

Today he said of his critics, that many say "Joel this or Joel that", he doesn't have enough theology, he doesn't...whatever. And that like Paul and the viper (an often quoted scripture by myself as well) he has learned to just "shake it off". He said he knew that God had gifted him with the gift of encouragement! That he wasn't meant to offer deep theological and doctrinal insights. He was meant to encourage! And that his critics had little to do with him perhaps but more about the envy of the success God had given him. Finally, permission to like Joel! I get that he is not a theological giant. He KNOWS he is not up there quoting deep theological insights but he is there to encourage. He is using the natural gift that God gave him. Good for him! And he is not pretending to be anything else but.

I have listened to his critics in my own life and tried to find the "wrong" or "heresy" in what he does, but all I find is well, encouragement! He made some faulty statements once on Larry King and had everyone in an uproar but I shudder to think if we were all in a fish bowl how many faulty things would be found in us!

I used to be a people pleaser myself and still find myself struggling with the need to have everyone "like me". A real problem considering my strong and passionate personality and thoughts and beliefs on touchy issues. But I have also learned, the hard way, that not everyone will like me or accept me and that I can shake off my critics too and simply stand!

Another problem with wanting people to like me is the very fact that I can stand in my beliefs. That alone can make people bite. The very fact that I am now out of the closet about enjoying Joel Osteen will turn a few heads in my circle. How sad if it does. They will have missed the point!

I may not go to Joel for my deep theological meal but certainly a bit of encouragement is also needed in today's world. It certainly is in my life.

I am going through some sort of transition spiritually right now, trying to find my way...I love true theology and even doctrine. But I am lacking the old spiritual fervor that I used to so enjoy. I think it fine, right and true to seek deeper truth. Vital, in fact. But I think worship of all kinds is also meant to be enjoyed, not be a lamentation! There is a place for all seriousness but to the point of missing the JOY of worshipping and exalting God is difficult for me.
Critics would say that you have to be careful with "feelings" or "warm fuzzies" but anyone who knows me knows that I could never stand for that!

Presenting oneself as "worthy" is hopeless. We are simply worthy because God says so, not because we are good enough. So we might as well relax and enjoy God ALONG with being scripturally accurate!