Do you have “Fear of Man”?

I have always been a “people pleaser”.

I like peace and I dislike confrontation.

I want everyone happy, happy, happy.

Well the Lord started showing me a few years ago that while all of those peacemaking traits are wonderful….I was also suffering from “fear of man”.

I think many people don’t even recognize what “fear of man” looks like. So,  I came up with some examples. Do you:

• ask many people for their advice before making decisions?
• not give your opinion, even when asked for it, because you don’t want to upset anyone?
• make decisions to keep peace at any cost even when you are really upset on the inside?
• keep your faith under wraps, quiet, to yourself ?
• have a hard time saying no when you are already way too busy?
• let many things slide that are very hurtful to you just because you don’t want to have uncomfortable conversations?
• feel like an emotional punching bag or dumping spot for others?
• feel like you are going to absolutely throw up when you know you have to confront someone?

All of those things were me.  On the DISC personality profile test….I am a strong “S”…. a peace lover.

Today, I am still a peace lover, but I have come a LONG way in the last few years.  Jesus called us to be peacemakers, but not doormats.

I am learning to ignore a lot my feelings because feelings aren’t always truth.  If I listened to my feelings, I would eat M&M’s all day, buy every pretty thing I saw, never do the laundry and never try anything new out of FEAR.

Fear of man will paralyze you.  It will keep you stuck.

Know this:  fear is a liar.

Having trust in the Lord is what frees us.

Begin that journey today!

Many blessings,

Jennifer