POST 57: Knowing When to Say Yes and When to Say No
POST 57
Knowing When to Say Yes and When to Say No
Part of discovering your purpose is knowing when to say yes and when to say no. If you want to find your purpose and develop the skills needed to work toward your purpose, you will have to learn how to focus your time and attention.
If that sounds hard, we’re with you! But hear us out.
Sometimes you think saying yes to every opportunity is what you need to do in order to lean into your purpose—but if you say yes to everything, sooner or later you will burn out.
This is something that Jesus knew well. During his earthly ministry, Jesus was often followed by large crowds. They all wanted to hear him teach, and they clamored for his attention. Meeting those kinds of demands is exhausting. This is why Jesus instituted boundaries. While he said yes to many ministry opportunities—from healing the sick to meeting with people—he also knew when to say no.
Jesus knew that it was important to take time away from the crowds. He accepted his personal limits and took care of his personal needs. When he was hungry, he ate. When he was tired, he slept. He would often retreat to be alone with God the Father. Saying no allowed him to focus his time and guarded him from fatigue.
What about When Jesus Said Yes?
There were many times when Jesus said yes, but let’s focus on one in particular. When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane before going to the cross, he said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus understood that obedience means saying yes to God’s will for our lives. In order to fulfill his ultimate purpose, Jesus had to say yes to what God had called him to do. It may not have been what others were expecting, but it was God’s call. So he said yes.
The bottom line? Say a joyful and willing yes when the request seems to line up with God’s will for your life and you have the capacity to do so. Say no to anything that will distract you from God’s will for your life (you probably don’t have the capacity anyway).
You may not think you know God’s will all the time, and that’s fine. Don’t stress it. Go with what you know so far. As you figure out when to say yes and when to say no, and mean it, God’s purpose for you will unfold.
READING GOD’S WORD
Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)
Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person. (Colossians 4:6)
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Journaling Questions
What’s hard about saying yes? What’s easy about saying yes?
What’s hard about saying no? What’s easy about saying no?
What’s one way you can align your yes or no with God’s purpose for your life?
Pray This Prayer
God, as I discover your purpose for my life, help me to be wise with my time and attention. Guide me in when to say yes and when to say no. Help me to stand firm in the boundaries that will best serve in helping me stick to my purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Take a look at all your commitments—the things you’ve said yes to. Is there anything on that list that needs to be a no? Take some time to think and pray about what needs to be a yes and what needs to be a no.
THE TAKEAWAY
Knowing when to say yes and when to say no helps you set boundaries and concentrate on what leads you toward God’s purpose for you.