What should you look for in a coach? Most coaches offer an initial free phone session. You should see if coach understands you and really listens to what you have to say. Does coach ask you what your goals are or does coach set goals for you? Remember this is about you and your agenda, not coach’s agenda. Often, you can tell in one phone session if coach is a good fit for you. Most coaching sessions occur over phone. So, your coach could be thousands of miles away or in your city. Location really does not matter. Some coaches also doing coaching completely over internet. When you do set up an appointment with a coach, make sure you have a list of questions you would like to have answered.

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.