How many times have you said, "I can't."
I can't because...
I don't have the time
My kids keep me too busy
I am not qualified
I feel silly
I am too insecure
I don't have the courage
Someone else can do it better than me
Someone else is already doing it
I have said, "I can't" far too many times for reasons that are, quite frankly, dumb. I am a good excuse maker. I can convince myself why I shouldn't do something in record time. I don't want to think of the opportunities I have missed because of my "I can'ts."
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 1 Corinthians 16:13
'Jesus looked at them and said, "With man, this is impossible, but not with God; with God, all things are possible." Mark 10:27
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"So do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Isaiah 41:10
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
I can write pages of verses that encourage the "I can" for more than I can find ones that promote the "I can't." Why, then, do we convince ourselves more often that we can't than that we can?
For me, my "I can't" stems in fear and guilt. I will say that I can't do something out of fear of inadequacy or that it's not my blessing. I will also say I can't when I feel like I have to be there for my kids or husband in another capacity leaving me with no time to complete that task. In reality, I am perfectly equipped and capable and my family would be totally fine if I stepped away for a hot minute and followed through on something else.
Our "I can't" attitudes become a line of defense against our feelings. If we say we can't then we don't have to deal with the fear, anxiety, disappointment, or guilt saying I can may bring. We don't have to feel those feelings if we just avoid. But, what we don't realize, is that when we say we can't, we also miss the blessing.
All these "I can'ts" are missed opportunities and blessings in my life. I am running from an experience I can never get back when I am constantly saying that I can't.
My friend, Libba, started saying a quote a few years ago. She wore and wears this quote daily. You can see it lived out vibrantly in her life.
She says, "The adventure of saying yes is more alive than the safety of saying no."
Y'all, I want to live alive. Safety is no longer comfortable to me. I need to live and in order to live I need to drop the "I can't" and start living for the "I can."
I will still face adversities. I will face disappointment and experience mom guilt. Fear will ravage me a time or two. But, I will be alive because I say yes to the "I can" and that, for me, and far better than any safety net; especially the one of "I can't."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Love & Blessings,
Meg
I can't because...
I don't have the time
My kids keep me too busy
I am not qualified
I feel silly
I am too insecure
I don't have the courage
Someone else can do it better than me
Someone else is already doing it
I have said, "I can't" far too many times for reasons that are, quite frankly, dumb. I am a good excuse maker. I can convince myself why I shouldn't do something in record time. I don't want to think of the opportunities I have missed because of my "I can'ts."
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 1 Corinthians 16:13
'Jesus looked at them and said, "With man, this is impossible, but not with God; with God, all things are possible." Mark 10:27
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"So do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Isaiah 41:10
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
I can write pages of verses that encourage the "I can" for more than I can find ones that promote the "I can't." Why, then, do we convince ourselves more often that we can't than that we can?
For me, my "I can't" stems in fear and guilt. I will say that I can't do something out of fear of inadequacy or that it's not my blessing. I will also say I can't when I feel like I have to be there for my kids or husband in another capacity leaving me with no time to complete that task. In reality, I am perfectly equipped and capable and my family would be totally fine if I stepped away for a hot minute and followed through on something else.
Our "I can't" attitudes become a line of defense against our feelings. If we say we can't then we don't have to deal with the fear, anxiety, disappointment, or guilt saying I can may bring. We don't have to feel those feelings if we just avoid. But, what we don't realize, is that when we say we can't, we also miss the blessing.
All these "I can'ts" are missed opportunities and blessings in my life. I am running from an experience I can never get back when I am constantly saying that I can't.
My friend, Libba, started saying a quote a few years ago. She wore and wears this quote daily. You can see it lived out vibrantly in her life.
She says, "The adventure of saying yes is more alive than the safety of saying no."
Y'all, I want to live alive. Safety is no longer comfortable to me. I need to live and in order to live I need to drop the "I can't" and start living for the "I can."
I will still face adversities. I will face disappointment and experience mom guilt. Fear will ravage me a time or two. But, I will be alive because I say yes to the "I can" and that, for me, and far better than any safety net; especially the one of "I can't."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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