From the tender age of 10, I was told to stay true to myself and that trying to please everyone is a waste of time. At that young age, I didn't grasp the depth of those words. It wasn’t until I faced one of the darkest periods of my life that I understood how crucial this lesson was.
I’ve always been the kind of person who would give you the shirt off my back, the last dollar in my wallet, and be there whenever you needed me. But when the tables turned, the very people I counted on vanished. I never realized how truly alone I was until I stood in the midst of that solitude. Have you ever found yourself asking, "What is this life all about? Are there any real people who genuinely care for me?"
It’s often those we trust the most that are the ones who betray us the deepest. They’ll smile to your face, but when the chips are down, their true colors emerge. The apostle Paul once said, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” It was in my darkest hour that I realized it wasn’t the people who had failed me—it was my misplaced trust in them that brought me here. Our struggle isn't against flesh and blood but against the unseen forces that influence our world.
Like Peter from the Bible, I took my eyes off Jesus and focused on people, seeking their approval. But it was God who I needed to trust all along. It was God who lifted me out of every storm, who protected me when no one else was there. In my darkest days, during the loneliest nights, and through every uncertainty, God was always there.
The next time you feel the urge to please someone, take a step back. Ask yourself, is it the approval of people or the approval of God that drives you? For me, it’s God.
Remember: Fake friends are like shadows—they’re always near during your brightest moments but disappear in your darkest hour.
Don’t let the length of a friendship overshadow your growth. Surround yourself with those who inspire and uplift you, who push you to reach your full potential. True strength comes from standing firm in who you are and seeking the approval of the One who will never leave your side.
