Many people fret and fuss wanting everyone to like them. Years ago I came across the following poem, by an unknown author, that would help us a lot if we just put it into practice:
“Forget each kindness that you do as soon as you have done it. Forget the praise that falls to you the moment you have won it. Forget the slander that you hear before you can repeat it. Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, whenever you may meet. Remember every promise made and keep it to the letter. Remember those who lend you aid and be a grateful debtor. Remember all the happiness that comes your way in living. Forget each worry and distress; be hopeful and forgiving. Remember good, remember truth, remember heaven is above you. And you will find, through age and youth, that many will love you.”
That’s good advice, but you need to know that God alone can enable us to do this. It is only as we yield ourself to His control that we can live as we should. You just can’t leave God out of the equation and be successful. Forget about trying to win the applause of others and seek only to please God. Forget about the things you think you deserve and remember that all you have is a result of God’s grace. We who deserve nothing have everything in Christ—let us not complain.
