I was also a man-pleaser, and had been since I was very young. I figured if I could make 'that' person love me, and then I would know I was ok. I wanted to please. My worth became based on the reactions of others...which usually meant as soon as I disappointed them, whether I meant to or not, I would instantly see myself as a disappointment, as a loser, as being unworthy of love.
Only now, almost twenty-two years after I invited Jesus to be the Lord of my life, do I see how my fear of man has proven to be the cause of my wounds.
I love God, but my fear remained at the feet of men.
I won't go on about it, but the simple truth is, in being a man-pleaser, in having a fear of what others think of me and possessing a fear of ridicule and rejection, I failed to trust in God a lot.
If there is one verse in the Bible that could be bound to every wound I've suffered in church - and quite possibly out of it - it's this one. Today, I repent of it.
I realised lately that I've been walking with God all these years and I still hold a lot of fear. I am still insecure. I still allow confidence to slip away... and now He shows me why: 'Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.' In fearing, I fail to trust...in failing to trust God, I fail to open all my heart to Him. He won't enter any part of our life or heart we don't want Him in - as we still have free will. Therefore, I didn't let Him in to this part of my heart that I protected so vehemently, which meant the fear was able to stay and fester. Today, I repent of that and open this part of my heart to God, knowing He will now bring greater healing and freedom... and that through His Son, Jesus.