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bluidkiti · 04-26-2018, 09:39 AM

No Is Not A Naughty Word

John 11:1-6: “‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’…Yet…he stayed where he was two more days” (vv.3 and 6).

Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was deathly ill. They wanted and expected Jesus to come to his bedside. But Jesus in effect said no. He had a sound reason for his decision.

On occasion we may decide that it is advantageous to say no to a request, even a reasonable one. With Jesus as our example, we can be assured that is acceptable. We are not obligated to say yes, just to make someone else feel good. Saying no may merely mean “In my opinion, granting your request would not be beneficial at this time.” We can say no without rejecting the personhood of the one making the request.

Our statement, “No, I don’t care to go out to dinner tonight” is not the same as “I don’t like to be in your company.” It does not mean that we do not care about children’s spiritual education if we say, “No, I will not teach first grade Sunday School this year.” We can say no and remain loving and caring people.

Lord, help me to remember that no is not a naughty word.
Teach me the healthy benefits of saying yes and no.

Joan C. Webb

04-26-2018, 09:39 AM	#1
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 71,304	No Is Not A Naughty Word No Is Not A Naughty Word John 11:1-6: “‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’…Yet…he stayed where he was two more days” (vv.3 and 6). Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was deathly ill. They wanted and expected Jesus to come to his bedside. But Jesus in effect said no. He had a sound reason for his decision. On occasion we may decide that it is advantageous to say no to a request, even a reasonable one. With Jesus as our example, we can be assured that is acceptable. We are not obligated to say yes, just to make someone else feel good. Saying no may merely mean “In my opinion, granting your request would not be beneficial at this time.” We can say no without rejecting the personhood of the one making the request. Our statement, “No, I don’t care to go out to dinner tonight” is not the same as “I don’t like to be in your company.” It does not mean that we do not care about children’s spiritual education if we say, “No, I will not teach first grade Sunday School this year.” We can say no and remain loving and caring people. Lord, help me to remember that no is not a naughty word. Teach me the healthy benefits of saying yes and no. Joan C. Webb __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.