Learning how to say no is one of the most difficult but most powerful lessons one can learn in life.  It’s funny because on the flip side, hearing no can also be one of the most difficult but most powerful things to hear.  This goes for children and adults.  We have a tendency to want what we want, when we want it.  As a parent, what I would call that is being spoiled. The desire to have is not always bad, but you have to know that everything you want is not necessary what you need.  God taught me this about a year after I graduated with my undergrad degree.  I got a job that I thought I had always wanted and ended up being so miserable.  He gave me what I wanted to show me that it was not what I needed.  If we would learn this concept, then I think it would be easier to receive it when someone tells you no.  I can also remember praying on multiple occasions asking God for this or that and when I did not get it, I would actually get angry because I did not understand why He was telling me no.  In fact, God wasn’t even telling me no, it was more of a not right now.  My inability to see beyond my present situation caused me to want something I thought was good, when God had great waiting for me around the corner.  Stop letting two simple letters make you feel like is the end of the world.  Whether you hear no from God or from man, take it in stride and learn from it.

We also have a tendency to shy away from telling people no.  Yes, we should help people.  Yes, we should bless them.  And yes, there are some times when we will have to be willing to say no.  It’s as simple as that.  Some times your no is what people need to hear because they have been told yes their whole entire life.  Every time they have ever asked for anything, they have gotten accustomed to getting what they want.  Saying no is a way to humble them.   It brings them back to reality.  Not to mention the fact that saying no gives your ‘yes’ that much more power.  If you say yes all the time, how powerful is it really?  A lot of times this could even cause you to be taken for granted.    Why are we so afraid to tell folks no?  I keep thinking about it and even as I write this I still do not know.  Is it because we are afraid to hurt their feelings or disappoint them?  Is it because we want to please people?  Is it because we feel as thought they will reject us?  Are we afraid of what the response will be?  I’m sure there are several reasons.  Nevertheless, I’ve learned that when we say yes to everyone all the time, there are instances when we could possibly be rejecting our self.  It is ok to bless others as I’ve mentioned before.  Selfless service is always great.  On the other hand, what’s not so great is doing so much for others that you completely forget about yourself.  If something happens to you, then what?

Just my thoughts that I wanted to share.  I hope you will truly think about them.  Ask God to increase your spirit of discernment as well as to open your spiritual ears so that when you are pulled on by others to do this or that, you will know which direction you should be going on instead of allowing kindness to get the best of us.  Never allow your kindness to be mistaken for a weakness.  We allow our emotions to get the best of us and put us in situations at times that we were never meant to be in.  If we are truly in tune with the spirit and the voice of God and our discernment is heightened we will know how to not only react but respond to people accordingly.  All in all, if you think about it, two simple letters N-O can truly be empowering.  I am not saying tell everybody no from now on.  I am saying when you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself.  More importantly, make sure you are listening to the voice of your Father and being lead by His spirit and not your emotions. #iDeclare #twosimpleletters…N-O!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you God for the power you are showing me behind these two simple letters.  Please God help me to say yes when and only when it is according to your will.  Give me the strength to say no when I should and not concern myself with how other people will respond.  I decree and declare that my spiritual ears are opening and my discernment is growing day by day.  I will not tell someone yes unless I am sure I am being lead by the Holy Spirit.  Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Scripture Reference:

Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Proverbs 16:3 NIV “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Matthew 6:33 KJV “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”