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The Power Of A Faith-Filled 'NO' · Inspired Edge: From Fear to Faith-Filled Living

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  Foreign.
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  Hey there friend.
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  I'm so glad you're here today.
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  If we haven't met yet, I'm Coach Chuck and I help men and women overcome fear and burnout and live with more clarity, confidence and purpose, all rooted in faith.
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  And this, this is inspired edge from Fear to Faith filled Living Today I want to talk about something that touches each and every one of us, especially when we're feeling pulled in so many different directions, worn a little
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  thin, or wondering if we're living up to what God is truly calling us to.
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  It's something that feels small, but it holds enormous weight in our lives.
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  And it's the simple act of saying no.
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  Not just saying no out of frustration or feeling fatigued, but saying no out of wisdom, discernment and a heart surrendered to God.
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  Because I know this.
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  If you're listening today, chances are you've got a full plate.
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  You want to serve well, love well, be faithful, and yet your time feels squeezed.
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  You might feel stressed or distracted or maybe even a bit unsure how to focus on what truly matters.
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  So let's pause and breathe for a moment and let's talk about how saying no can actually become one of the most faith filled, peace giving decisions that you can make.
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  Let's start with this truth from Ephesians 5, 15, 16 where it says, look carefully then how you walk.
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  Not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.
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  Time isn't just a resource, it's a gift from God.
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  And how we use it reflects what we value and who we're listening to.
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  So here's the gentle but freeing reminder.
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  You are not called to do everything.
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  You are called to be faithful to what God is asking of you, not what everyone else is expecting.
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  And sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is say no.
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  Now I know it's not always easy.
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  For many of us, saying yes has become a way to prove that we're dependable or generous or strong enough.
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  But friend, saying yes to everything often leads to over commitment and that over commitment leads to stress.
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  And that constant stress that's not from God.
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  Philippians 4:7 reminds us of the peace that comes from him, where it says, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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  When we begin to say no to the things that are simply good but not God appointed, we begin to open up space for rest, renewal and clarity.
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  And that's often where we begin to taste the peace that he offers.
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  Something I've seen in my coaching and maybe this will resonate with you.
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  Often we fill our days with commitments that we can do, but not necessarily what we're called to do.
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  Whether it's a committee, a project, or even a well meaning favor, we rush to say yes before even checking with the Lord.
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  But Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, for everything there is a season and a time.
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  For every matter under heaven, there's wisdom in acknowledging our limits.
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  It's not weakness, it's integrity.
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  Saying no doesn't make you unreliable, it actually allows you to be fully present for the things God has entrusted to you.
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  And here's another layer.
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  When we say no to what doesn't align with our God given gifts, we free ourselves to say yes to the areas where we can truly shine, the places where God has uniquely positioned us to make a difference.
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  First Peter 4:10 says, as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.
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  You've been given gifts, friend, spiritual, emotional, even practical.
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  And those gifts weren't meant to be scattered across a thousand little tasks.
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  They were meant to be stewarded with care.
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  And sometimes that means looking at an opportunity and prayerfully lovingly saying, this isn't for me right now.
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  And here's the danger that we don't always see when we say yes out of guilt, out of fear of disappointing others, or the pressure to please, we begin drifting from our God given purpose.
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  That's why Matthew 6:33 is such an anchor for our hearts where it says, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
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  When our time and energy are submitted to God, not to people pleasing, we begin to live with purpose and with peace.
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  And guess what?
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  People respect boundaries more than we think.
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  In fact, Proverbs 25:28 says, A man without self control is like a city broken into at and left without walls.
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  Boundaries, including the word no, are a form of self control.
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  They guard your energy, they protect your focus, and they allow you to show up with excellence, not exhaustion.
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  When we say yes to fewer things, the right things, those yeses become powerful, purposeful, joyful, because we've made room for them.
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  James 4:15 reminds us, instead you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.
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  And that kind of posture, it shifts everything.
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  We begin making decisions not from pressure, but from peace.
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  So if your schedule feels like a puzzle that doesn't quite fit, if your spirit feels tugged in too many different directions, if you're constantly tired and wondering how to regain focus, then maybe, just maybe, it's time to embrace
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  the wisdom of a faith filled no.
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  Saying no isn't about shutting doors.
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  It's about making room for the right ones to open.
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  And when those right doors align with your God given talents, your season of life, and his calling on your heart, you'll be able to walk through them, fully present, joyfully committed and at peace.
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  Here's a few reflection questions that you can bring before the Lord this week.
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  Maybe write them down, journal through them, or pray over them during your quiet time.
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  What am I currently committed to that may no longer align with God's purpose for me?
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  Where might God be asking me to say no so I can say a deeper yes to something better?
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  Am I seeking God's guidance before I say yes, or reacting out of pressure or obligation and friend if this episode has stirred something in you, if you're realizing that there may be areas of your life where you feel
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  stuck, distracted, uncertain or out of alignment, I want to give you a simple number.
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  Next step I've created the 5Life Keys framework to help you take a closer look at five important areas of your life clarity, confidence, focus, faith, and purpose.
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  It's designed to help you identify where you're strong, where you may be struggling, and where God may be inviting you to grow.
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  You can download the 5Life Keys framework for free using the link in the show notes or by heading to info.inspired edgecoaching.com framework.
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  Take a few minutes to work through it, reflect honestly and see which of the five keys may need your attention most right now.
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  Until next time, keep walking by faith and remember, you don't have to live in fear when you're led by faith.