Everybody, what is going on? You know what time it is. You're listening to join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma, daughter.

Thanks for joining. Have you ever wrestled with people pleasing? The desire to speak or act in such a way that you gain favor or are more likable?

What if I told you that the antidote to people-pleasing is found in

First Thessalonians 2? In today's chapter, First Thess 2, Paul, Silas and Timothy recount

their first interactions with the Thessalonians. What was their heart posture when they first

introduced the Thessalonians to the gospel? As we read the first few verses, it becomes clear

that Paul, Silas and Timothy, the guys, if you will, didn't consider people-pleasing an option.

They knew they'd face opposition in response to the message they were bringing to Thessalonica,

and that didn't stop or hinder them. But if I had to guess, if you're anything like me, people pleasing

has definitely stopped, slowed, or hindered you from speaking truth with such boldness.

If you're in grade school, maybe you're slow to stand up to a bully or speak up in class

when evolution is taught. What if I start getting bullied? I don't want to become the butt of a joke.

And if you're in college,

maybe you've been hesitant to say no to a drink even though you're underage. Will they still

like me? Will I still get invited to things if I say no? And as an adult, maybe it's the

hesitancy to engage a coworker in a spiritual conversation. Will it be awkward moving forward if I do?

Or maybe you're hesitant to speak up when you see an

immoral business practice. Do you just look the other way? Turn a blind eye? Just believe it's

not your problem? People pleasing is paralyzing and when it comes to the gospel going forth,

it hinders progress. Now, don't get me wrong, God's going to work regardless of our willingness

to participate, but when we choose the opinions of people over God, we miss out on all he has for us.

But resisting people-pleasing is a challenge. So what was the guy's secret? Why were they able to walk

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