It's ok to say no and it is also ok to hear a no response from someone even if that someone is God. A lot of the times we think that we have to agree with and say yes to any/everyone. But sometimes we need to learn to say no without having to explain ourselves. In Matthew 5:37 it says "But let your 'YES' be 'YES' and your 'NO' be 'NO' " To me this means stick to what you know is right according to God's Word. Don't just go around saying yes and agreeing with everyone because you don't want to hurt their feelings or because they won't be your friend and/or talk to you anymore if you disagree or are unavailable to them at that time. We need to learn to say NO to anyone and anything that draws us away from God and what He has called us to do. We have to say NO to any situation that causes us to compromise your relationship with God and goes against what His word says isn't right. We have to learn to say no to friendships/relationships that are draining us, to situations that tell us that we will always be the same, to the enemy and his lies, to false teaching of the Word of God. We must say No!
I like what Titus 2:1-15 says about doing good for the sake of the Gospel:
"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."
I had to learn to say no without feeling sorry, regretful and shameful for not going along with what everyone else "was doing". It took me years to build up the courage to finally say you know what I want what God has for me and I'm not going to let no thing stop me. And you can't say no in a nonchalant way you have to let others know that you mean it when it is said because if used lightly all the time people will mistake it for a yes instead and pretty soon you will too. I had to say no to certain guys that wanted a relationship with me. I had to say no to the partying, drinking, sex, depression, guilt, shame, friendships that were no good to me anymore, certain TV shows/movies/ music, etc... basically anything that was a hindrance to me and that was displeasing to the Word of God. There will come a time in your life where you will have to know when/where to draw the line. When you're following Christ there cannot be any in between stuff, no ands, ifs, buts, or maybes, only YES or NO. We have to learn to set boundaries or else people will just use us up.
So many of us, including myself, can say yes to everyone and everything else but when it comes to God we say no. But when God gives us a no we flip out and go crazy... Another thing that I've learned is that when God tells you "No" consider it a blessing in disguise. He is protecting his daughter/son from less than His best. I like the saying: "God's delays are not His denials." Just because God says no now doesn't mean it will always be a no in the future. It's amazing how even a 'NO' from God has love written all over it!
Learn to prioritize and limit the things that you do. Sometimes we can say yes to a million and one things and not have any time left to pray and spend time with God that's why prioritizing and limiting your schedule is very helpful in what you allow yourself to do.
When we say yes to so many things we began to get tired, used up, overwhelmed, weary, overworked and so much more. Learn to make time for you and listen to the voice of God when He is telling you when to say no and to stop and take time to rest (in Him).
Love you guys
Your sis in Christ,
Joy J. <3
No comments:
Post a Comment