Saying No Actaully Means, Yes!

 
The enemy is constantly trying to fill our minds with guilt, remind us of our past, and distract us from seeing God’s glory. He attempts this and is often successful in all three of these things by convincing us to overcommit ourselves. In saying yes to every volunteer and ministry opportunity, we are actually devaluing something that is so precious to God, our time. In becoming too busy, it takes away time we could be spending with God. This is how the pattern of “I’m too tired”,or “I have too many things I need to get done to read my word” starts. Our Heavenly Father deserves the absolute best we have to offer Him. This includes our finances, time and resources. As tithers we joyfully give back to God 10% of our household’s income. The tithe comes before our mortgage, electric or grocery bill. We would never offer The Master our leftovers with our money, so why are we so quick to do it with our time? The biblical principle laid out for us in Malaki 3:11 explains that being in covenant with God concerning our money allows Him to protect us from the devourer. Shielding us from the enemy who so desperately wants to rob us of our bountiful harvest. Our harvest in terms of time with God would be a prophetic words, instruction, and words of knowledge. When we become too busy to quiet ourselves and hear from Him we are missing out on huge opportunities to have an encounter with our Lord.

We know God values time by the way he organized the creation of the world in 6 days, when He certainly has the power to have done it in one. It is because of our Father’s love for us that He spared no detail. Focusing on only certain things each day. This is how we now have the pleasure of enjoying the over 7,500 types of apples that there are around the globe. God wanted to give His children the best, so he rushed nothing! As women, wives, and mothers we have been convinced by Satan that unless we say yes to every large and small tasks that is asked of us; we are somehow worthless, lazy, or selfish. The spirit of obligated guilt that has overtaken the minds of Women must be exposed and cast out swiftly! We must regain our authority in boldly saying no and delegating tasks responsibly.

The account in Exodus 18, is so relevant to the lives of wives and mommies everywhere. Moses has his father in law, Jethro in town for a visit. During this time he explains to him all of the different responsibilities he has in leading the people of Isreal. Moses lists all the tasks that have fallen on his shoulders, and that have overcrowded his already full plate of responsibilities. The very wise Jethro gives Moses some sound counsel and advice saying in Exodus 18:17-18 “So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” 

God did not create us to do everything, nor does he expect us to say yes to everything. In fact, by saying no you are actually proudly and unapologeticly saying;
Yes, I recognize my time is valuable.

Yes, I value this ministry, committee, ect enough to not offer you an overworked, burnt out me. 

Yes, my quality time with the Father is a priority.

Yes, I take my responsibilities as a wife and mother seriously.

Yes, intimate time with my husband is a priority in my life.

Yes, actual face time with my children is important to me.

Yes, God is ok with me saying no. 

Exodus 18:23 says “If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
Titus 2 Women, not only do you deserve the peace of saying no, but so do the people around you. We all desire more peace in our lives , and we can attain that by limiting our “yes”, “sure”, and “why nots”. When you overcommit youreslf it shows a lack of self control which is one of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. 
I encourage you ladies to start being more responsible with your time. There is much power, respect, and authority given to those who are responsible enough to say no. Remember to value the time God has given you by being a good steward of it.