Humans have an innate nature to please people. We see it in small children. Until they reach a certain age, they are considered people-pleasers. Many adults have that same condition. We don’t want to do anything to rock the boat.

It has to stop, and for me, it stops now. As I write, I am overwhelmed by the thought of letting someone down. My job requires a lot. It seems like there is constantly one more thing. I try so hard to keep everything going and make everything perfect, but deep down, I’m crumbling under the pressure to keep it all shining on the outside. I just can’t do one more thing.

To be healthy, I must stop the madness. I have to think about what is required and what I can physically, mentally, and emotionally do and give to each task. Maybe I’m not the only one who feels this way. I can’t be alone in this journey. Am I? To me, this definitely feels like a journey of one. I hear a lot of the “It will be okay,” “Well, just smile,” “Pray about it,” or “You’ll make it.” It’s time that we become okay with saying “I’m not okay.” So here it goes….. I’M. NOT. OKAY.

There, I said it. Wow, that feels better. If we look in the Bible, Romans 12: 4 states, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function.” This scripture shows that we aren’t meant to carry everything and turn every wheel of our lives. We are better together. We need each other.

Another scripture is found in Galatians 1:10. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Are we seeking the approval of man, or are we seeking the approval of God? Our life really has an audience of one. All the other things are just extra. Many times, that extra stuff is what makes the most noise in our lives. Let’s quiet the noise and listen closely for God’s guidance and direction. I say “let’s,” but what I really mean is I need to quiet the noise and listen closely for God’s guidance and direction in my life.

So shhhhhh…….. not, everything that speaks loudly needs to be listened to. Not everything that speaks is important, and not everything that is loud needs my time and energy.

Love you big,

The Unorthodox Voice