You might be a Yes Person if…

Last week, I was asked to teach on Lysa Terkeurst’s book, “The Best Yes” to a group of working moms at my church’s Wednesdays at Hope event.

And being the “yes” person I am, I said… well, yes.

(Side Note: Can I just say how amazing working mamas are? The term “working” mama is so ridiculously redundant, I’m shaking my head thinking about it… anyway, here’s to you all you working mamas! *raises last week’s workout water bottle* )

When asked to speak on this book/topic, I have to admit, I laughed. Because there is nobody more underqualified to tell women how to make wise decisions than me.

(Because we can’t forget the time I not only said YES, but ASKED for a fourth dog when I had a 3 month old infant at the time… but DETAILS.)
(Puppies are the cutest, aren’t they??)

But maybe that’s why I was chosen to speak on the topic?

So scratch that first statement – I guess you could say I am definitely OVER qualified, because I know EXACTLY what it’s like to make UNwise decisions.

To help you understand if you are also a Yes Person, I’ve listed out the following statements. If you can relate to these, then you might be a Yes Person.

(As I wrote that, I heard Jeff Foxworthy’s voice somewhere backstage in my mind, “You might be a redneck if…” And I giggled. Because I have a lame sense of humor. Anyway, as I was saying… )

…If you can relate to these, then you might be a Yes Person…

• When something is requested of you, despite knowing the answer should be “no,” you often say “yes.”
• You are afraid of people believing you’re lazy, selfish, uncaring, or unable.
• You open your mouth and “Yes!” almost always comes out.
• You always try to make people happy.
• You open your mouth and “Sure!” almost always comes out.
• You like to feel needed.
• You open your mouth and “Absolutely!” almost always comes out.
• You are often stressed because of saying yes to so many requests.
• You open your mouth and “Of course!” almost always comes out.
• You try to be someone that someone else wants you to be.
• You open your mouth and “Certainly!” almost always comes out.
• You frequently go along with what others want, despite your own needs/wants.
• You open your mouth and “By all means!” almost always comes out.

Now, be careful to not confuse the two types of yeses. Just because you are a Yes Person, does NOT mean you are a Best Yes Person.

I know this because I am, most definitely, without a doubt, NOT a Best Yes Person.

A Best Yes Person plays their part.
A Best Yes Person uses wisdom to express love.
A Best Yes Person protects themselves and their attitudes by saying no sometimes.

Playing our part, and protecting Best Yes opportunities includes having a loving attitude and utilizing the gifts/talents/resources/time God has given us in a way that glorifies Him.

I’m semi-obsessed (okay, really obsessed) with Lysa’s book, because she gives practical ways to become a Best Yes Person – a person who lives without rushed, ragged, and unloving emotions and attitudes because of decisions they’ve made.

When I spoke last week, I shared some of my biggest take-aways from the book. Today, I thought I’d share with you my biggest one. It is something I have been trying to practice in my day to day.

It’s this idea of K+I=D.

(While the components of the formula are Lysa’s idea, I shortened it into a mathematical equation – to help me remember, because I have the memory of a goldfish. Besides, math was always my best subject.)
(Okay, not really. I was horrible at math.)
(But for us mamas out there… this should be easy to remember. K – I – D… KID… kid… Get it? Because we have kids?)

 

—> Knowledge is the wisdom that comes from acquiring truth.

—> Insight is wisdom that comes from living out the truth we acquire.

—> Discernment is wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit’s reminders of that knowledge and wisdom.

 

When we gain knowledge by acquiring truth from the ultimate authority of truth (Cough! That would be God’s Word. Cough!) or teachers/preachers/pastors that teach from a biblically-based curriculum, we need to live our lives in accordance to that truth. From there, we gain insight from our experiences in life. In the end, the Holy Spirit will give us nudges and reminders of that truth, which will assist us in discerning our Best Yes.

Clearly, Lysa Terkhuerst has a much more profound way of sharing these ideas and many, many more tools on how to practice living a life of Best Yes Decisions.
(Warning! This is the part where I recommend you go buy and read the book…) 

I highly recommend you purchase the book and read it as soon as possible. It has helped me… no, wait… it still is helping me.
(Warning! And this almost the part where I abruptly wrap up the post because I’m sick of sitting in front of my computer and my eyes are starting to go cross. Hey – honesty is the best policy, right?)

And maybe, just maybe, you and I can get this Best Yes decision making thing down somewhere on this side of heaven.
(Here’s that part where I actually stop writing. Hope y’all have a great day! And hey – go make wise decisions until we meet again!)