Simplify Life By Learning To Say No
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to say no? Most of us want to be dependable. We want to help. We want people to know they can count on us.
Those are admirable qualities, but they can also become dangerous when every opportunity is said yes to.
Over the past few weeks, many of you have shared how much our conversations about simplifying life have resonated with you. We honestly cannot remember another series receiving such encouraging feedback.
But hearing the truth is only the beginning.
The real question is this: Are we doing anything about it? If we truly want simpler lives, we have to become comfortable saying no.
Every time we say yes to something, we're also saying no to something else.
Sometimes that "something else" is dinner with our family.
Sometimes it's coaching our child's team.
Sometimes it's a walk with our wife.
Sometimes it's an uninterrupted morning with God.
The problem isn't that these opportunities disappear overnight. They slowly disappear as our calendars fill with commitments that seemed like good ideas at the time.
Jesus understood this better than anyone. Although crowds constantly surrounded Him and people desperately wanted His attention, Jesus never allowed others' priorities to replace God's.
"Very early in the morning... Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."Mark 1:35–38
Scripture also tells us:
"Yet the news about him spread all the more... But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."Luke 5:15–16
Jesus intentionally stepped away.
He rested.
He prayed.
He protected His time with the Father.
He lived with purpose instead of pressure.
That doesn't mean He wasn't compassionate. It means He understood that fulfilling God's calling required boundaries.
We struggle with this. As men, we're wired to accomplish more, own more, build more, and say yes to more. But more isn't always better.
Sometimes the most spiritual decision we can make is politely saying no.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:37:
"Let your yes be yes and your 'No,' no."
Notice, Jesus doesn't apologize for saying no.
Neither should we when our priorities align with God's.
As you enjoy the slower pace of summer this week, take a fresh look at your calendar, and ask yourself:
What is one commitment I could release that would create more margin for the people and purpose God has entrusted to me?
Then take action.
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