It's Ok to Say No Sometimes

FOMO- fear of missing out

Admit it if you are like me you have struggled with the fear of missing out. This is something have struggled with for quite some time. I have always wanted to be where the party is and not miss out on meeting a potential friend or worse my future husband. When I told my mom my thoughts she said "You have been this way since the day you were born."  There have been times in my life where I have worn myself so thin from going to every possible function and not taking time for myself. I have also found myself going to every event possible put on by every organization I have ever heard of. This just wears me out and there are times when I do not even have a good time. Even though I am a social person, I need time to rejuvenate and not be in a large group of people all the time. Just cause I am an extreme extravert with an entertainer personality does not mean down time is not needed. 

Something God has laid on my heart lately is, when we say no to something that we only enjoy a little, we can open a door for God to do something amazing! This gives HIM power to do what only HE can do! 

Over the past few years of my college career I have been realizing what is worth my time and where I need to put my energy into something more fruitful. This is still a challenge for me. Sometimes this means if a group of my friends are doing something I am not necessarily interested in and I know I have lots of homework, I need to stay in and study. If I know my day is going to be me running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I need to say no to that social engagement. It can mean saying no to going out with my girls, when I know I need to wake up early the next morning. Cutting something out does not mean it isn't a good thing, it might just be that it is not a good fit for this stage in our life. 

Recently I have started saying no to people. I do not regret it one bit. God has given me more me time. It has been wonderful. As a result of this, I have spent more time with Jesus, my room and car are actually clean. I have not said no to these people or events to be rude, I did it because it is what is best for me. I used to think this kind of thing was selfish, but I have recently realized sometimes this is what is needed. God has turned the my "no" into a wonderful opportunity on a few occasions.

Recently  me saying no things that are just schedule fillers has led me to starting a girls small group with my Young Life girls. The "no" to one thing has lead to a beautiful time of community with some ladies I absolutely love and desire to get to know more. This would not have happened if I would not have said no to something that was a low priority to me. Saying "no" and realizing something was not a good fit for me lead me to creating something I have been looking for since I was a freshman. Now, I get to fuel my desire for community to pour into my girl friends, I am so glad what I turned down became me saying a beautiful "yes" to God. 

I am not saying we have turn down everything coming your way. I am saying "it is ok to say no sometimes." If we do not turn down the things that are not important to us, we may never find the things which matter the most to us. We do not have to do anything extreme to let that "no" turn into an opportunity to say a  beautiful "yes" to God.

P.S  No Matter what, I want to encourage, be an accountability partner to you, pray, and befriend you. I am on social media as @406_jourd on Instagram and @jourdynMack101 on Twitter, give me a follow and feel free to DM me anytime. If you ever need prayer or someone to talk to email me, jourdynpuppies@gmail.com, don't laugh it is from fourth grade and I stuck with it. 

P.P.S Want to see more encouraging posts? I used to write for Odyssey Online, so if you want to see more check out the link below.