The Word "No"
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”" ~Mark 12:30-31 (NASB) |  |
Sometimes the greatest acts of Love come in the form of the word "No."
I have heard on many occasions, as recently as yesterday, that sometimes God says "Go," sometimes He says "Slow," and sometimes He says "No." When we talk about God saying "No" to us, it is often implied that we are either not ready for the thing we are asking of Him, or it is not good for us. We know God loves us and would NEVER give us something that is outside the confines of Love. When He says "No," we can have unshakable confidence that it's for our best! So what about saying "No" in our relationships with those we love?
I have recently been dealing with a situation with one of my children where I have had to say "No" almost on a daily basis to the same exact request. Initially she was frustrated by my answer, but my consistency in saying no, and my explanation for my response has now turned the question and answer dialogue into a kind of joke. She now understands that the thing she is asking for, although it is a right and privilege she has earned and worked hard for, and she is certainly deserving of, is also something that if given to her at this time could be life threatening. By saying "No" I am not keeping her from a privilege, but protecting her from a death trap that she has not been fully prepared for. That's Love of the greatest kind!
I would like to challenge each reader to find the Love in speaking and hearing the word "No." Don't give in to the pressures of "yes" just to please the people you love when you know "No" is what's best for them. And when the people who love you say "No," trust their love enough to not hold it against them....they may know much better than you why "No" is best!
Finally, learn to tell yourself "No" more often as well! When doubt and discouragement try to settle into your thoughts, say "NO!" When blame and guilt invade your peace, say "NO!" When the pressures of competition and comparison whisper subtly, say "NO!" We would not hesitate to say NO to this negativity if it were affecting our children and loved ones, so why not love ourselves in the same manner? Love yourself enough to say "NO" to the things, situations, attitudes, and emotions that are not in line with what GOD has said about you in His Word the Bible!
Thank you to each of you for your dedicated following each week! I am truly humbled and honored to serve you as God gives me the insight and creativity. I would love to hear from you personally either in the comments section or via email at: [email protected]. We have some exciting new additions coming this Fall, and would love to hear about what you like and don't like! Help us make this site better for you!
Blessings my friends,
Dawn~
~Pouring my life out in worship, like Costly Oil~
I have heard on many occasions, as recently as yesterday, that sometimes God says "Go," sometimes He says "Slow," and sometimes He says "No." When we talk about God saying "No" to us, it is often implied that we are either not ready for the thing we are asking of Him, or it is not good for us. We know God loves us and would NEVER give us something that is outside the confines of Love. When He says "No," we can have unshakable confidence that it's for our best! So what about saying "No" in our relationships with those we love?
I have recently been dealing with a situation with one of my children where I have had to say "No" almost on a daily basis to the same exact request. Initially she was frustrated by my answer, but my consistency in saying no, and my explanation for my response has now turned the question and answer dialogue into a kind of joke. She now understands that the thing she is asking for, although it is a right and privilege she has earned and worked hard for, and she is certainly deserving of, is also something that if given to her at this time could be life threatening. By saying "No" I am not keeping her from a privilege, but protecting her from a death trap that she has not been fully prepared for. That's Love of the greatest kind!
I would like to challenge each reader to find the Love in speaking and hearing the word "No." Don't give in to the pressures of "yes" just to please the people you love when you know "No" is what's best for them. And when the people who love you say "No," trust their love enough to not hold it against them....they may know much better than you why "No" is best!
Finally, learn to tell yourself "No" more often as well! When doubt and discouragement try to settle into your thoughts, say "NO!" When blame and guilt invade your peace, say "NO!" When the pressures of competition and comparison whisper subtly, say "NO!" We would not hesitate to say NO to this negativity if it were affecting our children and loved ones, so why not love ourselves in the same manner? Love yourself enough to say "NO" to the things, situations, attitudes, and emotions that are not in line with what GOD has said about you in His Word the Bible!
Thank you to each of you for your dedicated following each week! I am truly humbled and honored to serve you as God gives me the insight and creativity. I would love to hear from you personally either in the comments section or via email at: [email protected]. We have some exciting new additions coming this Fall, and would love to hear about what you like and don't like! Help us make this site better for you!
Blessings my friends,
Dawn~
~Pouring my life out in worship, like Costly Oil~
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