The Power Of A Yes List: Saying Yes to What Gives Life

Reclaiming Purpose by Saying Yes to What Matters Most

“Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” – Matthew 5:37

We hear a lot about boundaries these days. About learning to say no, about protecting your time, your peace, your heart. And that's absolutely needed. But what about the other side? What are you saying yes to?

For those of us navigating mental health struggles—especially when they intersect with our faith—the idea of purpose can feel slippery. Some days, just getting out of bed is a victory. Others, we might feel a flicker of hope, a whisper from God that there’s more. But more what?

This is where the Yes List comes in.

What Is a Yes List?

A “Yes List” is a personal guidepost—a living document of what you want to intentionally say yes to in your life. It’s not a to-do list or a bucket list. It’s a values-driven, faith-grounded, joy-rooted reminder of what brings life, meaning, and light into your days.

It’s the list that helps you answer, “What should I do next?” when your mind is foggy, your heart is heavy, and your purpose feels unclear.

Why a Yes List Matters for Mental Health and Faith

When we’re overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, decision-making becomes hard. We default to survival mode. We numb, we avoid, we isolate, or we chase counterfeit peace.

But having a Yes List lets you make life-giving decisions in advance, so that when you're in the valley, you don’t have to overthink it. You already know where you can turn. These are the things that restore your soul and bring you back to who God created you to be.

How to Build Your Yes List

Here’s a simple way to build your Yes List:

1. Start with Prayer

Ask God to reveal the things that make you come alive. Ask Him to show you what brings peace, what leads to growth, what aligns with His purpose for you.

2. Reflect on What Restores You

Think about activities, people, environments, or practices that help you feel:

• Close to God

• Grounded in your identity

• Connected with others

• Energized or calm (depending on what you need)

Examples:

• Yes to reading one chapter of Scripture a day

• Yes to walks outside without headphones

• Yes to calling a trusted friend when I’m spiraling

• Yes to creating without judging the outcome

• Yes to letting myself rest without guilt

3. Make It Visible

Put your Yes List somewhere you can see it—on your mirror, your phone, or your journal. Let it interrupt the moments you’re tempted to retreat or self-sabotage.

4. Update It Often

Seasons change. So will your Yes List. Review it monthly. Cross things out. Add new ones. Celebrate small wins.

When Saying Yes Is Hard

Let’s be honest: sometimes even the good things are hard to choose when we’re hurting. That’s why your Yes List should include small, doable actions too.

• Yes to brushing my teeth today

• Yes to drinking a glass of water

• Yes to stepping outside for five minutes

• Yes to telling someone I need prayer

These are holy decisions too. They matter. They are sacred steps toward healing.

What Jesus Said Yes To

Jesus was no stranger to weariness. He knew what it meant to retreat, to wrestle, to be overwhelmed. But His life was a series of intentional yeses—yes to God’s will, yes to healing the broken, yes to the lonely, yes to rest, yes to the cross.

When we write a Yes List, we’re not just creating structure. We’re aligning ourselves with Christ’s example: choosing love over fear, purpose over paralysis, and hope over despair.

Your Next Step

Start your list today. Pray over it. And when you feel lost or unsure of what to do next, go back to it. Let your Yes List guide you—not just toward productivity—but toward peace, purpose, and the presence of God.

You are not behind. You are not broken. You are just learning to say yes again.