Are you often overwhelmed? Overcommitted? Do you have a hard time saying no? Then hang around this week. We’re going to start off the new year by learning to say “no” to filling our days with busyness and say “yes” to the things God wants in our lives.

Admit You’re Overwhelmed

I sat in the car, staring down at my phone. Once again, I’d said “yes” to something for which I really didn’t have time. Why hadn’t I just said no? Why had I agreed to add one more thing to my already burgeoning calendar?

My schedule is crazy on a good day, yet once again I had agreed to something without a thought. I hadn’t considered the rest of my commitments. I hadn’t thought of how little time I already had. I hadn’t even taken two minutes to pray about it and seek God’s will. And I knew, as soon as I hung up, that I did not have time to do what I’d just agreed to do!

I know I can’t be the only one. Why do we do this to ourselves? Sometimes it’s because I think I can do a better job of whatever it is than anyone else. Maybe I want to make sure people know I care about whatever the project or issue is.  I think more often than not, I just want to help. I want to tackle every task or serve on every committee or be on every team because I truly DO care and want to help.

However, too many spinning plates usually result in at least one, if not all of them, crashing down around us. Instead of a sense of accomplishment, we end up frustrated and stressed. Why is that, when all the things we’re trying to do are good things?

While God wants us to serve others, He does not want us living a life of frustration. That means learning to discern what He really wants us to do, and that can be hard when all the choices are good choices. Author Lysa Terkeurst calls it finding God’s “best yes”– the things He really wants for us. This week let’s explore some ways we can prioritize commitments not only to help others and please God but to avoid stressing ourselves out!

In His Love,

Amy