PREPARE YOUR EYES TO READ AND YOUR HEART TO RECEIVE AS YOU TAKE IN THE WORDS THAT LOOK TO CHANGE LIVES, RENEW HEARTS, AND OPEN MINDS. Yes is a word that shows affirmation, acceptance, or consent of someone or something. It is often a great joy to hear because of its significance with happiness, positivity, and agreement. Here are some questions we want to hear "yes" as a response. "Will you marry me?" "Did I get the job?" "Did I win the lottery?" "Will the kids join us for dinner during their Christmas Break?" "Do I make you happy?" Although we love to hear that answer, there are moments when this significant word is not wanted. These are the situations in which lives are turned around in some shape, form, or fashion. Some examples are, "Doctor, do I have cancer?" "Was that your child I saw on the evening news getting arrested?" "Is the motor seized up on my car?" Amazingly, one word, when received, can either bring joy or sadness, confidence or uncertainty, encouragement or hindrance, calmness or fear, and creation or devastation. What about the person who has to deliver the answer? Before you answer, you must consider the outcome of how the answer will be perceived and to what cost it will be to that person and you. Sometimes we underestimate the time and effort we have to put into certain situations before we say yes. Our emotions can lead us to respond positively because we know it feels good to see a co-worker meet a tight deadline at work or maybe celebrate the joyous moment when two people agree on the marriage. Those same yes answers also bring along additional work. After all, you couldn't resist the urge to say yes or stay involved in a spiraling out-of-control relationship because you said yes in your vows? They say words matter; in this case, a three-letter word full of possibility and power can change lives for the good and the bad. So take the time to consider what you might be agreeing to by considering the consequences. The book "Yes Changes Everything" provides five things you should consider before delivering your yes response. Are you responding in humility, honesty, repentance, forgiveness, or obedience? If so, then you are outsourcing yourself to something more meaningful than you. They call this kingdom-first living.
The next time you have to give a response, take time to examine your heart to see if you are meeting the five requirements and think about the outcome of your decision. If you are waiting for an answer, remember that the person delivering it to you could have thought about the same thing before giving you your answer.
"Don't say yes to everything but continue to "lean to yes" whenever feasible." #SPEAK2MYHEART
Comments