If You Want to Grow, Sometimes You Have to Say ‘No’ By Rick Warren
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).
The most important word to remember for your spiritual journey may be a surprising one: “no.”
Your faith journey is a long one. Too many people start off strong but putter out before the end. God wants you to go the distance.
Your spiritual life is like a marathon—and you can’t run a marathon with a barbell in your hands. In fact, people often quit their faith journey early because everything they’re carrying wears them out.
So, to run your spiritual race well, you need to de-clutter.
Consider these images:
In the middle of the ocean, a cruise liner can get pretty fast. But if you add a hundred lifeboats to it, it’ll slow down.
Plug a battery into one lightbulb, and it’ll last a long time. Plug it into 15, and it drains quickly. Plug it into 100, and it’ll drain even more quickly.
That’s what happens to you when you try to do too much. You need to learn to say “no” to some things that are good because they keep you from doing your best.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” (NLT).
These weights aren’t bad or sinful. They’re just unnecessary. A weight in your life could be a job, a relationship, or a hobby. It’s something that slows you down from what God wants to do in your life. And it’s not worth it.
Consider what weights are slowing you down—and start stripping them off today!
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Help Share the Good News of Jesus with the World!
In God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions, Pastor Rick Warren takes you to the Bible to find practical, life-changing guidance for some of life’s biggest struggles.
This book will help you:
- Cope with stress in a healthy, biblical way
- Find peace and confidence in times of crisis
- Rebound from failure and move forward with purpose
- Overcome loneliness and build meaningful relationships
- Experience real, lasting change through God’s truth
Request your copy today when you give to help take the hope of Jesus to the world through Daily Hope. And thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
