Praying for the ability to say "no" to yourself
And how it trains you in reliance on God
P.S. This one was supposed to go out on Friday 12/1, but I messed up the scheduling…so here it is today!
The most difficult part of my spiritual journey wasn’t with all of the bad that has happened, all of the negative influences, etc.
It was learning to say “no” to myself.
You hear it all the time, “die to yourself” and how that has something to do with following Jesus.
“Bear your cross.”
“Decrease self, increase Christ."
Those all sound great but they don’t convey the harsh reality of what it means.
To die to yourself means saying “no” to your wants and needs and surrendering all of it over to God.
And that means learning how to pray for the ability to tell yourself “no” when you really, really want something or really, really need something.
This is where the rubber meets the road of your prayer life. You have to practice praying “May your [God’s] will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
And every time you have your own worries and anxieties and fears, you have to pray for the ability to tell yourself “no” rather than sitting in that fear.
It’s not easy.
But it is good, hard work.
It’s rewarding work.
When you start to realize that God does provide for your needs, maybe not your wants, but your most dire needs…it’s an incredible feeling.
True reliance on God starts by telling yourself “no.”
My prayer for today
Our Father, may we reduce our own wants and needs. Jesus, help comfort us when we feel wanting for more. Spirit, grant us grace for ourselves as we practice what it means to empty ourselves. Amen.
Remember
It’s difficult work, and it really requires a lot of yourself, so don’t be mad at yourself if you struggle. And don’t forget that you don’t ever have to go it alone, reach out and ask for help, prayers, guidance, etc.