I’ve had plenty of “I don’t want to” moments in my life.

“I don’t want to have a child with Down syndrome, God.”

“I don’t want to be a health coach.”

“I don’t want to move my kids and put them in another school, Lord. And an inner city one at that.”

In our journey of faith, there come moments when we face critical decisions. These are the times when we stand at the crossroads, just as the Israelite spies did when they explored the Promised Land. The land before them was ripe with potential, but fear and doubt gripped their hearts. Instead of boldly accepting God’s invitation to faith, they hesitated, saying, “We can’t do it.”

“I can’t.

This isn’t what I imagined.

This isn’t fair.”

How often do we find ourselves in similar circumstances, encountering God’s calling and purpose, but faltering due to fear and insecurity? These are the moments of “I don’t want to,” and they can become wilderness seasons in our lives, where our lack of faith prevents us from stepping into the fullness of God’s plan.

But there is tremendous power in saying YES, even when doubts and fears try to hold us back. Saying YES means acknowledging our feelings without allowing them to control us and responding to God’s call with faith. It’s a daring YES that requires determination, not just glamor. Every act of obedience brings us closer to the promised purpose God has for us.

Wholehearted YES means being genuinely and completely devoted to God, regardless of the circumstances. It’s an unwavering commitment to obedience, even in the face of adversity. Obedience empowers us to outlast the Enemy and claim victory, as we rely on God’s faithfulness.