We are all a work in progress, it’s true.
At any given moment, each of us could pinpoint something we could work on to better ourselves.
I think it’s healthy and beneficial to have insight in what our strengths and weaknesses are.
There are times when change is necessary.
But sometimes that’s not why we are trying so hard to change.
Sometimes we find ourselves striving for change to make someone else accept us more. To make them pleased.
They have made us feel that the way we currently are is not meeting their standards. We don’t feel good enough as is.
So we try to change, because we want their approval.
We change how we act. We hide various parts of us while emphasizing other parts.
We change our personality, our interests, even our morals.
The worst part is that sometimes we do this for people who don’t even really value us.
People who aren’t as concerned about us being who God has created us to be, but instead are more concerned with us being who they want us to be.
For their benefit.
It’s a slippery slope, and sometimes we lose ourselves in trying to satisfy them.
Friend, if you find yourself in a situation like this, I’m sorry.
I know it’s scary to think about losing a relationships, even if it’s unhealthy.
But what you’ll most likely find is that even if you end up “pleasing” them, you won’t be pleased with you.
Because you won’t be who you know you were meant to be.
We all need to work on ourselves, no doubt.
But don’t change yourself for people who don’t really value you.
Don’t hide what God has put inside of you because they don’t like it or it makes them uncomfortable.
Because the truth is..
The people who really value and love you won’t try to change you for their benefit.
~Kelli Bachara, The Unraveling Blog