What happens if I say “Yes” ?
By: Melinda Perez
Tags: Obedience, Support, Leadership Skills, Christianity, Fear Of Failure

Sometimes I put up a resistance to follow through. Does that ever happen to you??

There’s this fear of unknown factors and results that freak me out! Not not understanding the purpose or not being able to perceive the outcome causes huge hesitation. In most cases, unless you answer those concerns, there’s no progression.

But have you ever heard that voice coming from within yourself? Like in your head, suggesting you do or say something? It doesn’t even have to be this big monumental thought or something to overthink. The task could be as small as calling someone who has been on your heart. Which I often ignore more times than I wish to admit, but I’m trying hard to get better at this. Don’t be like me, don’t ignore this feeling. Hearing your voice or sharing a kind word may be what that person needs, and you’re chosen to deliver. Or it could be as easy as sharing a smile. You may be the only friendly act that person receives today.

Joy is contagious.

We all have days like where we can feel down, and sometimes hear a small voice telling you to go somewhere. But you’re not in the mood. You don’t want to have a stank attitude, yet you don’t know how to fix it and you don’t want to be around people.

The small voice says “Go, get up, get dressed, go to this place. I have something for you there.” When you arrive, you hear the exact words that encourage you and give a new perspective. Sometimes our obedience is not for other people. It’s for ourselves, to feed our own souls.

But will you be obedient? Are you going to do it? Will you go? Are you going to make the call? Will you be still and quiet? Are you able to turn off the distractions? Can you obey something so simple without going stir crazy? Or do the sounds of your own thoughts scare you? Is the silence deafening? Can you sit there ’til that small still voice tells you to move? (1)

When we trust the steps, even given one at a time, we’re not stressed nor worrying. We’re not doubting, nor wavering in faith and it feels good, but it all starts with saying yes to the small things.

Like most of us, when told to do something you might look ahead. Use what’s happening in your life right now to predict what will happen next. Let me be real with you, this will only leave you confused, worried and doubtful. You can’t be sure of how the situation may turn out based on what you see. This will bring on stress. Your brain will be processing and reprocessing new potential outcomes non stop. (2)

I know we want to have all the information laid out in front of us first and to be honest, that’s not how it works. You don’t get a full, concrete picture. You’ll not know the full plan. If you can be faithful with the small and it’s up to you to obey first, then you’ll be entrusted with the next step.

My small voice is God and He doesn’t ask much of us. He will never tell us to do something that He’s not going to equip us to do.

I have a friend who recently decided to do a 360-career change. I’m telling you; this is something she didn’t want to do. She was crying when she told us about her decision. It was something that she wasn’t comfortable doing, but God, told her it’s time for change and He needed her to do it now. So, she did. (3)

I was proud wanted to support her any way I could. I joined her Facebook group and signed up for her newsletters. Little did I know God was using her to do a work in me too! Her obedience to be bold and brave gave me confidence to walk in my own calling. I know God used her to confirm my own gifts. Following her journey gave me the strength to make a shift necessary for my life.

Partnering as a leader with an organization allowed me to oversee a group of 50 kids and be the face of the program for that school. Every week we shared the Gospel with them.

Trust me when this opportunity came knocking on my door, I was scared. I.Was.Scared. Fear was screaming at the forefront of my mind:

“You can’t do this, how are you going to do this?

Who’s going to be on your team?

Can you keep the attention of 50 kids, all different grade levels? Who’s going to listen to you?”

Fear was ringing in my ears, but I had the small voice inside say “This is the door I’m giving you. Walk through it.”

And I said yes. Did I have all the answers? No. Was I still nervous and terrified? Yes, absolutely. Every week I showed up sick to my stomach from nervousness. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew that if God brought it to me, He was going to see me through. That’s all I needed to know. (4)

I spent decades disobeying God. I wan’t listening to the small voice. But now God is giving me growing opportunities not to let others make the same mistakes. God gave me a gift. He is paving the way for me to use it. I can only do my best in the spaces He has opened. I don’t have to worry about how it gets done, when, where or with whom. I don’t have to worry because if I stay obedient, God’s got me. He’s got the details. (5)

So, friend I leave you with this, be bold. Be brave. Don’t doubt and be confident of who God is molding you to be. Listen to the small voice, and walk the steps being asked of you.

Here are the scriptures that gave confirmation behind this post. When in doubt, meditate on these bible verses about fear and obedience:

Matthew 7:24 — Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 6:34 — Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. John 14:15 — If you love me, keep my commands. Deuteronomy 31:6 — Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Romans 5:19 — For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Originally published at https://sharelovelivewell.org on May 6, 2019.