“You know, you don’t have to do that. You can say ‘no.’ ” That’s what a trusted adult told me as I described peer pressure I was feeling.
That was news to me. Growing up, I had taken on the belief that I needed to please others and that my worth was wrapped up in others’ opinions of me. But this person’s encouragement helped me see that sometimes saying “no” is the right thing.
Over the years, I have learned the power of seeking God’s guidance. It’s led me to say “no” to disease, fear, anger. “No” to anything that isn’t in line with God’s law of integrity and love. And “yes” to things like honesty, joy, patience. When I’ve felt divinely impelled to act in a certain way, fear of possible negative consequences has been lifted.
What I have also learned is that we have to be true to ourselves as we listen for God’s guidance. We are created to serve God, not to be governed by the will of other people. And when our first loyalty is to this infinite, divine Mind, blessings follow. For instance, through prayer I have gained confidence in standing up to “powerful” people when needed, inspiration in negotiating adversarial real estate contracts, and wisdom in handling family and social situations.
Each one of us is God’s perfect, intelligent, spiritual idea. We have the right to stand up for the integrity of our spiritual identity, and we have the capacity to trust in God’s goodness and in our ability to follow His leading.
It’s not always easy, especially when the stakes are higher than simply upsetting a friend. But wherever we find ourselves, we can let God inspire in us courage, strength, and the humility to pray for love and harmony all around.
Kathryn Jones Dunton
