Is it Hard To Say No?

Linking with Suzie Eller’s Living Free Thursday

Beloved, because you did not say no, are you over committed? Are you suffering from fatigue?  Are you asking God to rescue you?  I have to admit saying ‘no’ is really difficult for me for several reasons. The first is that I am a people pleaser. The second reason is that I do not want to disappoint you. Lastly I want you to like me.

 

Suzie Eller’s writes, “For some of us, this is our biggest discomfort zone. We can’t say it. We aren’t sure we should say it. We don’t like it when God says it. But what if saying no means we can say yes? What if saying no to us leads us to higher heights or rest or, and this is a hard one, against our own desires? Linking up with her she challenges, what is your instant response to this prompt? Where do you think God leads us with this word? Whether we are saying it or he is whispering it to us.”

My instant response is that I have trouble saying “NO”. I am a reforming people pleaser. For example at work, when asked to add a shift or change my shift at work, I usually do not say no  the result is fatigue. I can justify this because I like to help on a shift that is hard to staff. I love my job and I love where I work when I work the night shift. What area of your life do you have trouble saying no? Another area that it is hard to say no to is my family. Have you given money you do not have? Have you changed your plans? Lastly, I struggle saying “NO” to my wants. This is a hard area because it is just my husband and I. But I do need to say “NO” to my wants, beloved, is this an area you need to work with God?

Where do I think God leads us with his word? He want us in his word so we are not saying yes or no to just please people.  We should seek and serve him not for the approval of others but for the approval of God only. God gives us assurance with his word. Beloved, sometimes God says “NO.” How do you cope with when God says no?  Beloved, you have asked, and asked and asked, God has your request but for some reason the answer is no. [Tweet “God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient he knows what we do not know the reason for the no.”]

The apostle Paul prayed three times for a thorn to be removed but it was not removed instead we have an amazing verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

So, before you say Yes or No, when asked for a commitment, one can always respond, “Let me check my schedule.” “I need to pray about your request.” This gives an opportunity to pray and seek God’s will, look at your schedule, before you say yes or no to the commitment.

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A Time He Closed A Door.

In 1984, disabled from migraine headaches, I applied for social security disability, I had not worked since 1982. I did not win the judgment for social security, the judge could not see my pain. However, the answer was no, the door closed but another door opened called school, I returned to school after learning how to cope with the migraines, I became a medical assistant. This was God saying yes and blessing me I have my Master’s Degree in nursing. [Tweet “When God opens the doors, it is safe to walk through them.”]

Beloved, what door has he closed? What door is he opening? What is God whispering to you?