This is a real shocker to most people. In cases like these, Satan, not God, uses guilt to sway our actions. Psalm 69:5, Isaiah 6:7, Isaiah 27:9, and countless other passages of scriptures refer to sin of guilt. Jesus died for our sins. That means, when we repent of our sin, it is wiped clean. There is no guilt.

Satan often uses ploy of false guilt to overwhelm us. Don’t let him work his tricks on you. This is nothing more than an attempt to keep you trapped and feeling depressed about not spending every minute of every day doing something for someone else.

God doesn’t want you run down and tired all time. How can you effectively serve Him if you barely have enough energy to get out of bed? Why would He want someone “praising” Him who is disgusted and cranky? Walking tightrope of “I Can’t Say ‘No’” is not God’s idea of a fruitful life.

There Is A Better Way

Take time for yourself. Have you ever been on an airplane? Do you remember spiel flight attendant gave before take off? It went something like this: “In event of a decrease in pressure, an oxygen mask will fall from panel above your head. If you’re traveling with an older person or child, please secure YOUR OWN mask first so that you may better assist your travel partner.” Even airlines know you have to take care of yourself before you can effectively take care of anyone else.

Pray about things people ask you to do. Actually wait for an answer from God before you give an answer to committee chairman, scout troop leader, or whoever else is asking for your help. Others will respect you when you tell them you’ll pray about their request… especially if you really do it!

You are not trapped. There is a way to overcome “I Can’t Say ‘No’” Syndrome. The first step is admitting you need help. Once you do that, you’re open to living a freeing and more peaceful life than you ever thought possible.

I would encourage you when you are going through trials and tribulations to ask God what he has to teach you through this difficult time. I know our first reaction is to just pray, “Lord, get me out of this difficulty”, but I would encourage you to go one step further and say, “What do you have to show me?” How can I trust you when everything is crashing down around me?

Now, please don’t hear me saying be a “happy” Christian and say Praise Lord for whatever is happening in your life. God does not expect us to pretend. We can bring all our hurts and frustrations to him. He loves and wants to be our Abba – Father.

So, this Thanksgiving I would encourage you to take a different twist on being thankful for your blessings. Try being thankful for everything in your life, good, bad, and ugly. Learn to be content in whatever circumstance you are in and ask God to show you what he wants you to learn about him and his almighty love for you. Please remember you need to do nothing to earn or keep God’s love for you. He loves you just way you are even if you don’t change at all.