In life, we often get caught up in routines, expectations, and responsibilities without ever stopping to ask ourselves one simple yet profound question: Why?
Why do I do what I do?
Why do I say yes when I really want to say no?
Why am I trying so hard to please others?
Why do I feel guilty when I make a decision that benefits my well-being?
This one question—why—can change the way we live, the way we think, and the way we follow God’s purpose for our lives.
Why Do We Seek Approval?
Many of us are wired to seek approval. Whether it’s from friends, family, colleagues, or society, we often feel pressure to meet expectations that may not align with what we truly need or what God wants for us. But here’s the truth: living to gain the approval of others leads to stress, insecurity, and compromise.
Imagine being invited to an event that you don’t feel led to attend. Maybe you’re exhausted, or maybe God has placed something else on your heart that needs your focus. Do you go out of obligation? Out of fear of disappointing someone? Or do you listen to that quiet voice inside telling you it’s okay to say no?
True friends and loved ones will respect your decisions. They will not pressure you, manipulate you, or guilt you into pleasing them. The people who try to control you, who get angry when you don’t do what they want—are they truly looking out for your best interest?
When we fail to ask “why” before making decisions, we can easily fall into the trap of people-pleasing rather than God-pleasing.
Why Is It Hard to Stand Up for Ourselves?
Standing firm in our decisions is difficult when we fear confrontation. We might think, What if they don’t like me anymore? or What if they think I’m selfish?
But the Bible tells us in Galatians 1:10, “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.”
Fear of people’s opinions can hold us back from fully living out God’s plan. God never intended for us to live in fear of rejection. Instead, He calls us to live in obedience to Him.
If someone is controlling you, manipulating you, or making you feel guilty for choosing what’s right for you, then it’s time to stop and ask: Why am I allowing this?
Why Should We Live to Please God?
When we stop living for the approval of others and start seeking God’s guidance in every decision, we experience freedom.
Freedom from guilt.
Freedom from unnecessary stress.
Freedom from obligations that drain us.
Instead of asking, “What will they think of me?”, start asking, “What does God think of me?” Because at the end of the day, His opinion is the only one that truly matters.
Live to please God, and you will never be a slave to approval.
So, the next time you find yourself making a decision—big or small—pause and ask yourself: Why?
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