The yes leaves your mouth before you have checked the week. A month later, you own the newsletter, a label maker, and a grudge. You still wave pleasantly at the neighbor who asked.
The fear of people works the same way. The harder you work to keep everyone happy, the tighter it holds you. Every yes you give out of fear adds a little more cord. Paul put the choice plainly in Galatians 1:10. Pleasing people and serving Christ pull in different directions.
He had once run on approval. Now he answered to one Lord. So do you, and with Him you're kept safe. Fear of people tightens the snare. "Whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
An honest prayer
God, free me from treating approval as my guide. Help me answer with wisdom and love.
A question to sit with
Whose possible disapproval is shaping my next answer?
You can take this slowly.