What I Wish I Knew Before Saying “YES”
Saying “yes” to God wasn’t a casual decision for me. It was a moment of complete surrender, one where I declared that my life would no longer be my own. I remember that day vividly—sitting in prayer, tears streaming down my face, and uttering the words, “Whatever You ask of me, Lord, I will say yes.” In that moment, I felt ready, as though I was stepping into something extraordinary, completely aligned with God’s will. But what I didn’t realize was how transformative that single word would be. That one decision wasn’t just a commitment to follow God; it was an invitation for Him to completely reshape my life. My yes quickly became a lens through which every decision was filtered. It meant surrendering not only the big dreams I had for myself but also the small, seemingly insignificant choices I made each day. Suddenly, everything mattered—how I spent my time, how I treated people, and even how I responded to challenges. Saying yes to God wasn’t just about believing in Him; it was about trusting Him with every part of my life, even the parts I didn’t fully understand or want to release.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much my yes would challenge me. It wasn’t just a declaration of faith; it was a commitment to walk with God through both the beauty and the hardship of surrender. Saying yes meant giving up control, letting go of relationships that no longer aligned with His purpose, and facing seasons of uncertainty and isolation. It was in those moments that I realized the true cost of following God. Yet, it was also in those moments that I discovered the depth of His grace and faithfulness. Every time my plans fell apart, I saw how God was putting something better together. Each time I felt unqualified for what He was calling me to do, He equipped me with His strength. My yes taught me to see trials not as obstacles but as opportunities to grow in faith and trust. Through it all, I’ve come to understand that saying yes to God isn’t a one-time act of surrender; it’s a lifelong journey of learning to trust Him more deeply, step by step, moment by moment. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most rewarding.
The Cost of Saying Yes
The first thing I learned about saying yes to God is that it comes with a cost. Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” When I first encountered this verse, it seemed poetic and inspiring, a noble call to live for something greater than myself. But as I began to walk in obedience to God, its meaning deepened in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Denying myself wasn’t just about resisting sin; it was about releasing things I had clung to for security and comfort—plans, relationships, and ambitions I believed were essential to my happiness. One of the hardest moments came when I had to let go of a career opportunity I had poured my heart into. I prayed over it fervently, worked tirelessly to prove myself, and even celebrated prematurely, confident that it was part of God’s plan for me. But then came God’s no. The door I thought was open slammed shut, and I was left heartbroken, questioning why God would deny me something I had pursued with such faith.
Looking back, I now see that God’s no wasn’t a rejection but a profound act of protection. That job wasn’t meant for me, and if I had forced it, I would have settled for something far less than what He had planned. In the moment, the no felt like loss, but over time, I began to understand it as a redirection toward His greater purpose. Saying yes to God often requires us to say no to what we think we need or deserve. It’s not easy—it stretches our faith and challenges our trust in His wisdom. But that no was a gentle reminder that His plans are always for our good, even when we don’t understand them. Obedience sometimes feels like sacrifice, but it’s ultimately about alignment—allowing God to lead us toward the best He has in store. Through this experience, I learned that surrendering to God’s will is not about giving up but about gaining something infinitely greater: His perfect plan, His unwavering faithfulness, and His abundant blessings in His timing.
Faith Shapes Every Decision
Another challenge I faced was how deeply my faith began to influence my decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 became my constant guide: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” At first, I thought this verse applied only to monumental, life-altering decisions—the kind of choices that might define the direction of my career, relationships, or major life goals. But as I walked in my commitment to God, I began to realize it was about so much more. Trusting Him wasn’t just for the big moments; it was about inviting Him into the daily rhythm of life, from the seemingly insignificant choices to the ones that shaped my character and priorities.
How I spent my time, how I treated others, and how I responded to conflict all started to shift as I surrendered these areas to God. My yes to Him wasn’t a one-time event; it was a continual practice of letting Him lead in every aspect of my life. For example, I found myself pausing before responding to difficult situations, praying for wisdom instead of acting impulsively or emotionally. I began to prioritize time with Him over the distractions of the world, learning to manage my time in a way that honored Him. Even my relationships changed—I started asking God for discernment in how I could love and serve others better.
This process wasn’t always easy. At times, it was humbling to admit that I didn’t have it all figured out, especially when I thought I knew the right course of action. Letting go of control felt uncomfortable and counterintuitive, but it also revealed how limited my understanding was. God used those moments to remind me that His perspective is eternal, His wisdom infinite, and His plans always good. The more I trusted Him, the more I realized that He wasn’t just making decisions for me—He was transforming my heart. Trusting God reshaped my priorities and showed me that even the smallest decisions, when placed in His hands, could lead to peace, purpose, and alignment with His will.
The Loneliness of Obedience
Saying yes to God also brought significant and sometimes painful changes to my relationships. Not everyone understood the depth of my commitment or the transformation that was taking place within me. Some friendships began to naturally fade, not out of malice, but because our paths no longer aligned. Others drifted because the decisions I made, rooted in my faith, set me apart in ways that made people uncomfortable or unsure of how to relate to me. It’s one thing to feel misunderstood, but it’s another to feel the weight of relationships slipping away. I often found myself wondering why following God—something so good and fulfilling—seemed to isolate me from people I cared about. It was a lonely and confusing reality to navigate, one that forced me to confront my desire for connection and acceptance in a deeper way.
In those moments of solitude, I found myself turning to God with questions and tears, and He met me with His unwavering promise in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” That verse didn’t just comfort me—it grounded me. It reminded me that even when people walked away, God was steadfast. What initially felt like rejection from others became an opportunity for me to draw closer to Him. I began to see those lonely seasons as a divine invitation to lean into His presence, to trust Him to fill the spaces left by others.
As I spent more time with Him in prayer and reflection, I realized that God was using this season to teach me something profound about relationships. He was showing me that while human connections are valuable, they can never replace the intimacy and fulfillment that comes from Him alone. Slowly, my perspective shifted. What once felt like a painful loss became a sacred gift—a space where I could hear His voice more clearly, feel His guidance more intimately, and depend on Him more fully. I learned that God wasn’t isolating me as a form of punishment but was setting me apart for a purpose. The loneliness I feared became a pathway to a deeper, more authentic relationship with my Creator, one that equipped me to love others better and walk confidently in the path He had for me.
Reframing Challenges
One of the most transformative aspects of saying yes to God is how it reshapes your perspective on challenges. Before, I viewed obstacles as barriers to my success—hindrances to the plans I had meticulously crafted. They felt like roadblocks, frustrating detours that made me question my abilities and purpose. But as I grew in my walk with God, I began to see these challenges in a new light. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” This verse challenged me to reframe my struggles, not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth. The trials I once dreaded became the very tools God used to refine me, strengthen my faith, and draw me closer to Him.
When God asked me to step into leadership roles I felt unqualified for, my first instinct was fear. I worried about failing, letting others down, and being exposed as inadequate. The weight of responsibility felt overwhelming, and I often questioned why God would choose someone like me for such tasks. But with each challenge, God met me with His faithfulness. Every fear was an opportunity to lean on Him, and every success became a testament to His strength working through my weakness. I began to understand that God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. What I once feared became a powerful testimony of His grace and provision. Through each victory, I saw that He equips those who step out in obedience, reminding me that my strength alone is never enough, but His is always sufficient.
Spiritual Warfare and God’s Protection
One personal moment that solidified my commitment to saying yes to God came during a season of intense spiritual warfare. I had accepted a ministry opportunity with excitement and faith, convinced that I was walking in alignment with God’s calling for my life. I approached the opportunity with joy, confident that my obedience would lead to blessings and success. However, almost immediately after saying yes, my life began to unravel in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Relationships that once felt secure became strained, unexpected financial challenges arose, and I faced spiritual attacks that left me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. Doubts crept in, and I began to question if I had misunderstood God’s voice or if I was truly prepared for the task ahead. Each day felt heavier than the last, and I couldn’t understand why obedience seemed to invite so much chaos into my life. The weight of it all began to take a toll on my faith, and I found myself wondering if I had the strength to continue.
One night, at my breaking point, I reached for my Bible, desperate for clarity and comfort. As I flipped through its pages, I landed on Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In that moment, the verse felt like a direct message from God, speaking to the deepest parts of my heart. It reminded me that saying yes to God often invites opposition—not because we are on the wrong path, but because we are stepping into territory the enemy doesn’t want us to claim. The spiritual warfare I was experiencing was evidence of the significance of the calling God had placed on my life. That realization shifted my perspective. I began to see my struggles not as punishment or signs of failure but as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness. The promise in Isaiah 41:10 became my anchor, grounding me in the truth that I was not fighting this battle alone.
From that moment on, I chose to lean into God’s strength instead of relying on my own. While the challenges didn’t disappear overnight, I began to see God’s provision and guidance in the midst of them. He sent people to encourage me, provided resources when I needed them most, and gave me the endurance to keep moving forward. What had initially felt like a season of defeat transformed into a season of transformation. Through the trials, I learned that saying yes to God doesn’t mean avoiding hardships—it means trusting Him to sustain you through them. It’s about recognizing that His calling comes with His equipping and that every challenge is an opportunity to deepen our faith and dependence on Him. Looking back, I see that season as one of the most defining periods of my life. It taught me that God’s faithfulness is unwavering, His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and saying yes to Him is always worth it.
The Reward of Saying Yes
Saying yes to God isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. It’s a decision that stretches you beyond your comfort zone, refines your character, and draws you closer to His heart. It’s not a one-time declaration but a daily surrender that challenges your faith, reshapes your priorities, and often leaves you feeling vulnerable. Yet, in that vulnerability, you find the beauty of His presence and the assurance of His promises. Saying yes to God means trusting Him when the path is unclear, leaning on Him when you feel weak, and believing that His plans for you are far greater than anything you could design on your own. It’s a journey that transforms not just your circumstances but your soul, leading to a deeper intimacy with God and a life that reflects His glory.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change my decision for anything. My yes to God has cost me more than I could have anticipated—plans I had to release, relationships that changed, and comforts I had to sacrifice. But those costs pale in comparison to the blessings I’ve gained. God’s plans have consistently proven to be better than mine, His guidance more reliable than my own understanding, and His love more transformative than I could have ever imagined. Each challenge, though difficult, has drawn me closer to Him, teaching me to trust His faithfulness and lean into His strength. My yes has not been easy, but it has been the greatest gift—an invitation to live fully in the purpose He created me for and to experience the fullness of His grace and love every step of the way.
A Prayer for Saying Yes to God
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to say yes to You. Thank You for the journey of faith, even when it feels uncertain and challenging. Lord, I ask for strength to trust You fully, for courage to face the unknown, and for wisdom to follow Your guidance in every decision. Help me to remember that Your plans are always good, even when I can’t see the outcome. Strengthen my faith, deepen my trust, and draw me closer to You through every trial and triumph. Let my life reflect Your glory, and may my heart always be willing to say yes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
