The Teacher

Straightforward: Direct and clear in manner or speech.

So many challenges in life occur often that it can be hard to maneuver through them. Depending on the situation, these challenges can range from simple to more intense. With this, people tend not to be as straightforward with how they may feel when these challenges arise in their lives. The lack of straightforwardness can be simply because most challenges that occur are more likely to be unexpected. These unexpected challenges can be a divorce, job loss, desire not to do something or go somewhere, health issues, financial issues, family strife, children's behavior issues, relationship difficulties, arguments, and more. Naturally, humans respond emotionally to opposition, reacting to whatever emotion they may initially feel. More often than not, this becomes a pattern for them and can sometimes lead to more negative outcomes than positive with every occurrence. A scripture that firmly stands on being straightforward is found in James 5:12 "Above all, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, lest ye fall into condemnation."

With this scripture in mind, as a person comes down from the emotions that transpire from such challenges, thoughts of regret, handling the situation differently, frustration, sadness, or whatever that person feels as a result of their initial reaction may kick in. The importance of letting your yes mean yes and your no mean no is that when you do not do this, you are bound to have an outcome that will cause you to regret a decision. It is so important to live by this scripture because it creates a desire to maintain boundaries that are put in place to prevent you from being thrown off of course in your life. Once a person establishes a boundary, it is easier for them to control their reaction to challenges.

Have you ever had a time where you felt in your spirit that you shouldn't do something, go somewhere, leave a relationship, leave a job, or whatever it was? Have you ever ignored that feeling and continued to do the opposite of what you were feeling? Well, that "feeling" was what some would say "Intuition" or what others would say the "Holy Spirit." And if you have done the opposite, you would always say, "Something told me not to do this." It is important to follow what your first intent tells you because you are being straightforward with yourself. Doing this is letting your yes mean yes and your no mean no. This way of thinking can also go as far as being a life-or-death decision.

By doing this, you act out of obedience to what the lord tells you to do.

1 Samuel 15:22 "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."  Obeying is indeed better than sacrifice because obeying can prevent you from being in a situation that could destroy your life. So many people have wound up in situations from challenges that caused them to lose their lives, marriages, jobs, homes, relationships, freedom, health, sanity, salvation, and relationship with GOD! Act out of obedience and say Yes when you need to, and say No when you need to. Doing this simple thing can prevent you from being where you do not have to be. The Israelites spent a 40-year journey in the wilderness simply because they refused to obey God's command when it would have only taken them 11 days.

Do not spend extra time doing something that could be done by simply standing on what you mean and what you say. Allow the space for wisdom, patience, obedience, humility, and learning to fill your heart, mind, and spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."