"No"Vember

Saying No With Purpose

The air is getting a little crisper each day, and Christmas lights and parades are already beginning to glow, even though December hasn’t yet arrived. With so much anticipation building, it’s easy to feel the weight of everything that needs to be done before Christmas finally comes.

But November is a quiet gift tucked between two full seasons—Gratitude and Advent. While the world begins to hurriedly prepare for what’s ahead, November quietly invites us to pause. In this in-between space, God gently calls us to slow our pace, breathe deeply, and settle into His presence.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This month acts as a soft bridge: from Thanksgiving, where our hearts turn toward gratitude, to Advent, where we look with hope and expectation. November offers room to listen, to rest, and to let God steady our hearts for the season ahead.

The Grace of Saying “No”

This November, think about what you might kindly and intentionally say “no” to—not as an act of guilt or avoidance, but as an act of kindness toward your own soul.

- Saying no is not selfish.
- It’s not a lack of generosity.
- It’s not stepping back from what matters.

Saying no can be a way of creating space for what is life-giving. It’s a gentle boundary that frees you from what depletes you so you can lean into what restores you. Sometimes the holiest thing we can do is simply choose less.

Be still, and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

Consider asking yourself:

- What might I lovingly say “no” to this month so I can breathe a little easier?
- What commitments or patterns keep my heart too cluttered to hear God’s whisper?
- What could I release so there’s room for peace to settle in?

Sometimes the most meaningful guidance comes when we intentionally pause—when we step away from the busyness long enough to breathe, reflect, and listen. For some, that pause looks like taking a quiet walk, journaling, or spending time in prayer. For others, it’s simply showing up at church and allowing God to meet them there.

A colleague recently shared a story about her friend Alexei, who's enrolled in a Paramedic training program. He was unsure if it was truly the right path for him. He's been praying for a sign, asking God to show him whether he should continue. This past Sunday, while sitting in church—taking that pause he needed—Paul found himself able to assist someone experiencing a serious health crisis during the service. In that unexpected moment, he felt God’s answer as clear as day.

Because he slowed down, showed up, and listened, he received the confirmation he had been longing for. God leads, he does not shove...and He always carries peace.

Saying no to noise, pressure, or overcommitment creates space for these kinds of moments—moments where God’s guidance becomes unmistakably clear.

Preparing Your Heart for What’s Coming

Before Advent arrives, November offers a moment to reset.

- How can I rest in God now, so I enter Advent with a full, steady heart?
- What spiritual rhythms will help me keep Christ at the center of the coming season?
- Where might I invite simplicity and calm, even as the world speeds up?

These questions aren’t tasks—they’re gentle invitations to slow down, reflect, and prepare inwardly before the outward celebrations begin.

Space for Journaling & Prayer

Take time this month to write, pray, or simply sit with your thoughts. Jot down moments of gratitude, small blessings, or the quiet ways you see God at work. Let November be a space where your soul exhales.

As the holiday pace begins to pick up, remember:
Rest is not a luxury. Reflection is not unproductive. Saying no is not failure. They are all ways of making space for God’s peace to settle more deeply in you.

UCB Radio has created a Rest and Reflect Journal to walk with you through this season—a gentle companion to help you nurture your faith, practice gratitude, and prepare your spirit for the joy of Christmas. We hope you’ll download this resource and that it blesses you, supports your quiet moments, and helps you enter the season ahead with peace and intention.