The courage to say no

Do you find it hard to say no? When friends and family members ask you for a favor, do you struggle to turn them down? Do you find yourself trying to give excuses when you need to say no? Saying no when you know you cannot really do something is a sign of strength and confidence. Even better is being able to say no without having to apologize or give an explanation as to why you had to say no. It takes courage to do this. Saying no is a confident acknowledgment of your own limitations, and letting others know this takes boldness. Even Jesus taught us to simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’, No. The courage to say no is something you can learn. Each day, practice evaluating yourself with what you can and cannot do. Categorize the favors being asked of you and make a note of the ones you find difficult to do. Learn to say no and then learn to say no without explaining why. In time, you will feel the freedom this brings to you. Saying no will help you set boundaries and help others understand you better. It will give you the freedom to make decisions. Your brain is wired to say yes all the time to avoid confrontation and to please other people. But this can cause burnout and unnecessary pressure on you if you always say yes to others' requests and demands. Discover the power of saying no. Try it and experience how liberating it is! Do you need the courage to say no?