In this timely and deeply practical episode of Crazy Unbelievable Faith, Brian and Kersha Owen tackle one of the most countercultural truths for believers: saying no is not a lack of faith—it's an act of faithfulness. As they kick off 2026, the Owens get refreshingly honest about the trap of overcommitment, the exhaustion of trying to be everywhere and do everything, and the freedom that comes from understanding biblical capacity. This isn't just another productivity conversation; it's a spiritual examination of what happens when we say yes to things God never asked us to do.

With their signature blend of vulnerability and practical wisdom, Brian and Kersha unpack the "big rocks" analogy, the importance of protecting your yes by learning to say no, and why burnout is not a fruit of the Spirit. From navigating the chaos of raising five kids to building a house while homeschooling, the Owens share real-life examples of how capacity grows—but only when we're honest about our limits. This episode is a permission slip to stop running on empty and start operating within the healthy boundaries that allow room for miracles, margin for the Holy Spirit, and the peace that comes from obedience rather than overextension.

🔥 What You'll Learn:

• Capacity vs. Overcommitment: Understand how saying no to certain things doesn't decrease your faith—it increases your effectiveness in the areas God has truly called you to.
• The Big Rocks Analogy: Learn how to prioritize the most important things first (your big rocks) and let the smaller commitments fill in around them, rather than spreading yourself thin across everything.
• Burnout Is Not a Fruit of the Spirit: Discover why exhaustion, anxiety, and constant busyness are warning signs that you've overcommitted—and how to course-correct before you crash.
• The Filter System for Decisions: Explore Brian and Kersha's hierarchy of priorities—God first, marriage second, immediate household third—and how this filter helps them say no to good things in favor of the best things.
• Leaving Margin for Miracles: Understand how saying yes to everything leaves no space for the Holy Spirit to work, move, or speak—and why margin is essential for witnessing God's power.
• Healthy Boundaries Reduce Anxiety: Learn how establishing clear boundaries and protecting your capacity can dramatically reduce stress and create space to breathe, rest, and hear from God.
• Capacity Grows Over Time: Hear Kersha's perspective on how capacity doesn't double overnight—it grows incrementally as you faithfully steward what God has given you in each season.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

• Kersha: "Saying no to certain things doesn't decrease our faith. It decreases our effectiveness."
• Brian: "Burnout is not a fruit of the Spirit."
• Kersha: "It's okay to say no to the bonfire at the neighbor's house because you're already tired and you have a big day tomorrow."
• Brian: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)
• Kersha: "If you're so exhausted at night that you can't pray, you need to be saying no more than yes."
• Brian: "Saying no to certain things is an act of faith."
• Kersha: "The countercultural idea is you say yes to everything, but the godly idea is yes to everything leaves us no margin for miracles."
• Brian: "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." (Matthew 5:37)
• Kersha: "What am I saying yes to that God never asked me for?"
• Brian: "My capacity grew immensely because I had to learn to say no and protect what mattered most."

🛑 Reflect + Apply: Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Are you overcommitted and overextended right now? What would it look like to honestly assess your current capacity?
2. What are your "big rocks"—the non-negotiable priorities that should be filling your container first before anything else gets added?
3. Are you experiencing burnout, exhaustion, or constant anxiety? If so, what commitments do you need to say no to in order to protect your peace?
4. Is saying no difficult for you because you're a people pleaser? What would it look like to value God's approval over others' expectations?
5. What are you saying yes to that God never actually asked you to do? How can you create space to discern His true calling from cultural pressure?
6. Are you leaving margin in your life for the Holy Spirit to speak, work, and move? Or is your schedule so packed that there's no room for miracles?
7. What healthy boundaries do you need to establish this year to protect your family, your faith, and your effectiveness in the areas God has called you to?

Scripture Focus:

This episode is grounded in practical application of these key biblical principles:

• Not by Might, but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6): A reminder that effectiveness and fruitfulness come from God's Spirit, not from our exhausting efforts or overcommitment.
• Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No (Matthew 5:37): The call to have clear, honest boundaries and to honor our commitments without overextending ourselves.
• The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): A check on whether our daily lives are producing peace, joy, and kindness—or anxiety, exhaustion, and burnout.
• Stewardship and Faithfulness: The biblical principle that we are called to be faithful stewards of the time, energy, and capacity God has given us—not to waste it on things He never assigned.

🙌 Join the Movement

If you've been running on empty, overcommitted to things that drain rather than fill you, this episode is your permission slip to say no. Brian and Kersha invite you to step back, reassess your capacity, and prioritize the big rocks that God has placed in front of you. The world says yes to everything; God invites you to say yes to Him and no to the rest. Create margin for miracles, space for the Holy Spirit, and boundaries that protect the peace God has promised.

💻 Visit crazyunbelievablefaith.com to sign up for behind-the-scenes content, submit a prayer request, and stay updated on the exciting things coming in the Spring and Summer of 2026, including our upcoming book launch!

📩 Got questions or want to connect? Brian and Kersha would love to hear what you're saying no to this year in order to protect your yes.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help someone else learn the freedom of biblical boundaries and the power of a well-protected yes.

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