The Power of No

by Charles Ligon


 With dread and anxiousness, I picked up the phone and made the call…informing the person on the other end that I was saying “No” to the request that I commit to his project.  I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time saying “No”.  In fact, for me, it’s easier to be that person who says “Yes” to everything because a “No” often leads to feelings of guilt... as if by saying “No” I am betraying or letting someone down.  I’m not alone…there are many others who also struggle with saying “No”. Are you one of those people?  Before you answer that question, please understand I am mostly speaking about volunteer projects or commitments outside your vocation.  As believers, we are all required to do the legitimate work that is assigned within the scope of our employment. What I’m talking about are projects or commitments that are assigned by others.  We can easily become weary by doing too much. 

Have you committed to so many things that you feel anxious and weighed down?  Take time now and ask yourself, “Is the added weight God-appointed or man-appointed?”

In his book, Mastering Monday, John Becket said (pg 171) “the word No may be the most efficient time saver in the English language. No can save us hours of time, return responsibility to its rightful owner and help one focus on right priorities. No can also protect us from our own good heart”.

The Apostle Paul always sought to stay “within the limits of the sphere of influence which God had appointed him” (2 Cor. 10:13). God calls and gives all believers a specific area of responsibility. We can more effectively carry out that responsibility if we stay within those limits. It is when we step outside those limits that life can feel overwhelming. Even Jesus initially said No when Lazarus’s sisters sent for Him at the time Lazarus was sick (John 11). He waited for his Father’s perfect timing before he went. I expect many looked at him with surprise and even questioned his response.

Workplace Challenge: Say "No" more. Before saying yes to a new project or activity, tell the person you need time to pray about it. This will keep you from making an on-the-spot decision you might regret. Seek God’s direction and after much prayer and discernment, “let your Yes be Yes and your No be No” (Matthew 5:37).

Dear Sunday School Friends:

Drew Garrison's dad, Stan, entered into heaven today, August 13, 2013.  What a glorious time He is having right now.  He is with Jesus!!!  Nothing could be sweeter.  But what is heaven's gain is temporarily his loved ones loss.   But only temporarily if you are a child of the King.  There will be a reunion on day where Stan's family and friends will one day rejoice with him in heaven. 

Here are a few verses about heaven that I find comfort in.  Drew, Cindy and Katie, I pray that you will find comfort in the words of our Lord who knows and feels your sense of loss and hurt, but gives you His promises for the future which bring hope to each new day.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.  Hebrews 11:16

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  John 14:2

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."  English Standard Version, Revelation 21:1-5

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

Please feel free to leave a comment or word of encouragement for Drew and Cindy.  I know it would lift them up.

Stan Garrison

Dear Members of our Sunday School Class;

As most of you know Drew Garrison's father has brain cancer and His time is growing short as the Lord is preparing Him to go home to heaven.  What a blessed promise that our hope is in Christ and when we depart from earth we are immediately in the presence of the Lord as the Bible says.  Drew's dad has been a Christian godly man for many years and has been faithful in his love and service to our Lord Jesus Christ.  I have no doubt there is a big mansion waiting for him.  And I KNOW that one day his wife Betty, along with Drew, Cindy and Katie and Drew's brothers and sisters along with all their families will one day be united with Stan if their hope and trust is in Jesus Christ.  I do not know all of Drew's family, but I do know that Betty, Drew, Cindy and Katie will one day see their husband, father and grandfather again one day.

If you would like to send a word of comfort, thoughts in way of a card or letter, here his Stan and Betty's address.  Drew gave me permission to post this as he said some of you had asked for his dad's address.

Stan and Betty Garrison
640 SE 12 Ct.
Cape Coral, FL  33990

May God bless the Garrison family as they near the end of this journey with Stan.  May God's comfort, peace and truth be with them as only God can do.

God bless,
Deb Paradis