Keep It Simple: Yea or Nay?!
Hey hey there!! I’m happy you’re joining me today (and hopefully over the next 21 days) as we figure out some things together! The goal of the next three weeks is to clear some clutter from the inside so the outside feels a bit more manageable. This won’t be a time of adding a bunch of new things, but a time of ordering the things we already have (and maybe tossing out a few internal items in the process). I’m not sure if you’re anything like me (but you probably are because you’re reading this), but often times my greatest challenge is getting my mind to slow down long enough to be present and focused on the moment in from of me.
One of my favorite one-liners is “the stress is in the indecision.” Not being able to say a firm yes or no to the smallest of decisions has caused me more anxiety than I ever care to admit. And I’m not just talking about the “where will I move” or “which career should I choose” type of questions. I thoroughly mean taking half an hour to decide whether I want to cook or order food after I leave an event. Plot twist: I could have done BOTH in the amount of time I spent pondering my own thoughts in the parking lot. But yet here I am, acting as if choosing chicken or fish is going to alter the God course of my life.
I know that was a little dramatic and quite humorous (as I like to believe I am both of those things) but the truth is still the same, not making a decision is in itself the most stressful decision. Say it with me y’all: No decision, is a decision…and it’s a stressful one!
If we take an honest inventory of our current life (which we will absolutely do a little later in this series), there are so many areas where we really haven’t established our stance on anything. We have things that we love, such as our faith, families, dreams, careers and hobbies, but we haven’t firmly said yea or nay to the decisions that would best serve those things we claim to care most about in life.
That’s where I want to challenge us during this time. Saying a firm yes or no to what’s already in our lives, before we try and take on anything else in this time!
Now, per usual, everything we do is to bring glory to God. Therefore, I want you to prayerfully consider all decisions (because wisdom over everything), but don’t let prayer be your final stop. We’re doing something different and making the tough (and not so tough) choices!
So, I have a bit of homework for you. I want you to grab some paper, a journal, or a notebook you swiped from your kid and tackle these next steps:
List (actually write it down) everything you can think of that needs your decision at this time. It could be one thing or 87,451 things, just write it down for now.
Prioritize this list from least to most anxiety provoking.
Make the decision needed for the item at the top of your list (the least anxiety provoking).
Hop over to Instagram (@mkbowens) or Facebook (Melinda Bowens, Author/Blogger) to update me on everything!
Happy Growing!
Helpful Verses:
But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 NLT
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 NLT
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
Philippians 4:6 GNT
*I always recommend reading the full text for more understanding of the scripture reference!
