It’s a phrase that was shared with me several years ago. The idea is if you say yes to everything, while it seems like you’re growing, you’re not. Why? Because you’re not leaving room to grow. While I could write several posts on that idea alone, that’s not where I’m going today.
This is a super short post and thought. So, for our brief time together, I want to use the phrase, “Grow with your no,” but change the context because it’s been what I’ve observed in my own.
So…one thing we’re all familiar with is temptation – nothing new here. We’ve all given in to temptation at some point. And we all know what that’s like – shame and regret when we succumb. Temptation will leave us feeling weary and beat up sometimes.
Is anybody out there that can relate? Indeed I’m not the only one.
But I’ve witnessed in my own life that I grow stronger with each no. While I may feel weary, beat up, and maybe even discouraged, I always grow with my no’s. Each time I say no to the enemy, I say yes to Jesus. And that plants something good for the future. Paul, in his letter to the churches in Galatia, puts it like this,
Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time, we will reap if we do not become weary. Galatians 6:9
Scripture regularly uses farming analogies, and Paul keeps in step here. Every aspect of farming requires some work. Hard work. There’s equipment to maintain, ground to work up, soil to fertilize, and seeds to plant. Even the harvest takes some serious work. But it’s all worth the reward, right?!
It’s the same for us. Even when we feel weary, beat up, and discouraged, each no we tell the enemy, we grow. We open up opportunities for the Holy Spirit to guide us, cultivate us spiritually, equipping us to continue doing good.
What’s the harvest for our no’s? Fruit!
Rewind a few verses (Galatians 5:22-23). We will reap a harvest of spiritual fruit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control.
While many may not see the spiritual war you and I face within, they do see the fruit of our no’s to the enemy, and our yes’s to Jesus. Why? Because we grow with our no’s.
Here’s one last thought on this idea. No’s stack. Each no builds upon the other, making us stronger and able to say no with more authority. Each time we say no to the enemy, our faith-o-meter (that’s a Randy Diller term) ticks up. Each time we trust that God’s way is best, that meter climbs, adding to the previous level. Each small no we give to the enemy and yes to Jesus cumulatively makes a significant difference in God’s blessing of fruit in our lives.
So, today, Grow with your no’s. Don’t become weary of doing good! Don’t give up!
You are loved!
