The Courage to Say Yes

The courage to say yes is the ability to embrace the will of God. It is uncomfortable and takes work, commitment, and accountability. It scares the unprepared and the unmotivated, but positive responses always yield more than negative responses. The great thing about saying yes is the discovery and learning that come along with it. So how do we get more courage to say yes? Here are some tips. And let me know what you think!


Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes, creator of the bestselling television series Grey's Anatomy, is a master of saying yes to life. In this new memoir, she shares the lessons she learned from her "Year of Yes" experience. Whether you are a creative person or a mother, you'll enjoy the story of Shonda's journey. Rhimes' memoir is a timely reminder for women and moms to embrace our humanity and find the courage to say yes to life.

Embracing God's will
Embracing God's will is the highest priority of every true follower of Jesus Christ. Most Christians, however, imagine God's will as imposing, difficult, and forced. While it is important to submit to God's will, the word embrace implies an active participation in it. Embracing God's will requires commitment and a willingness to embrace the challenges and sacrifices it may require.

Mary's courage to say yes to God
The birth of Jesus came about because of Mary's courage to say 'yes' to God. While Abraham and Moses may have hesitated before answering God's call, Mary never questioned his offer. Her courageous response was a knee-jerk reaction to a heavenly call, not the result of a discussion in her mind. Instead, Mary gave her heart and soul to God, allowing him to take care of her every need.

Learning to say no with confidence
While saying "no" may feel difficult, it's not rude or unkind. You might be surprised to find out that saying no to others actually has its benefits. Having the confidence to say no can give you a sense of fulfillment and leave you with more time for what's important to you. If you struggle to say no, start by writing yourself a commitment to say no when it comes up. Next, practice saying no when you're face to face with people.

Deceiving oneself into saying yes
You may be wondering what exactly is "deceiving oneself into saying yes"? Psychologist Simon Henderson offers the following insight. First, the term "deceiving" is a noun, not a verb. Hence, this technique is used in a variety of situations. Many people have used it to entrap their partners. In some cases, it has been used in war and in a number of other situations, too.

Unhelpful beliefs that make it hard to say no
If you find it difficult to say no to things, you may be prone to exaggerate the consequences of the action. For instance, you may overestimate the damage caused by a mistake while minimising its benefits. You may believe that saying "no" is a sign of weakness or selfishness. You may even be prone to developing depression and anxiety. By learning to identify and remove these beliefs, you can find a new way to respond.