For some folks “No” is the single most difficult word to say.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:37,
“Let your yes be yes and your no be no.”
We say “yes” easily. Sometimes when we mean to say “no,” we still say “yes”.
For years I kept saying “yes” to folks when I should have been saying “no”. Too many commitments meant too few accomplishments. Over-commitment is an enemy of humility and stewardship. It disrupts fellowship with God.
All those years playing an over-committed, people-pleasing Christian, I feared people would not accept me if I said no. I equated more works with more acceptance from people and more favor from God.
Today, thank God, I am learning what healthy boundaries are and how to set them. And I’m learning that if I say “no” sometimes, the sun will still come up tomorrow.
etv2020
ין חנה
Karen
ptl2010
rickroehm
setyourpathsstraight
Steve Sawyer
wayneman
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Reblogged this on justiceforkevinandjenveybaylis.
No – a word I heard from a very young age from my parents. It had negative connotations mostly and I did not like the word preferring the word Yes which most times brought a smile versus a scowl.
I thank God for my mother who taught me early on when I could understand, to say No
– to wrong- doing and sin,
– to being a sense- less copycat of peers and
– to stand up so I was not bullied at school.
Thank God for keeping me in balance – in life , at work or play and inter-actions.
It has surely been the grace and mercy of The Lord to me.
Thank you Steve for reminding us all of what is important to our lives – Yes? No?
Thank you for adding your perspective here. I was blessed to read it. God bless, my friend.
When I finally learned I could say no – look out world! 🙂
What a burden off our shoulders when we can learn to set boundaries and keep them. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Nothing greatest than an appropriate NO! Well done
Thank you. Thanks for stopping by. God bless.
I have been doing so much better at this lately! I have such a strong passion to serve and love People but God is also teaching me about creating space for him and the relationships in my life. Thank you for this reminder!!
Thank you for your affirmation. We both need to keep learning the difference you mention. Especially when we have that passion to serve, balance is such a difficult thing to achieve. Thank you for sharing.