Life is filled with making decisions. And in the end, decisions are a choice between “yes” and “no.” We could add “maybe” or “wait” – which is really “no” for right now, but perhaps “yes” in the future.” So it is down to “yes” or “no.” And in making decisions in life – relationships, marriage, parenting, ministry, time, etc. – I have found that “no” is the best friend to “yes.” Here’s why: when I can say “no” to one thing, it means that I have the opportunity and ability to now say “yes” to another thing. Gordon Smith in his The Voice of Jesus says that good is often the enemy of the best. We settle for what is good and either stop looking or are now unavailable to say “yes” to the best. So in life, we have to learn to say “no.” It means that we’ll disappoint people and pass up on opportunities that some might say we’re a fool to say “no” to.
- Learn to say “no” to a margin-less schedule so you can say “yes” to things that really matter
- Learn to say “no” to a good job offer so you can say “yes” to the best job
- Learn to say “no” to people who constantly drain your tank so you can say “yes” to people who fill your tank
- Learn to say “no” to earthly pleasures so you can say “yes” to heavenly treasures
- Learn to say “no” to plans and programs that move the focus off of what you have said “yes” to in vision and strategy
- Learn to say “no” to unhealthy relationships so that you can say “yes” in healthy relationships
- Learn to say “no” to financial decisions that don’t allow you to say “yes” to using your resources for Kingdom work
Learning to say “no” is a discipline… and if you don’t learn how to say “no,” you’ll never be able to say “yes.” What would you add to the “no” and “yes” list?
