Dealing with ‘NO’ from the Lord 

When I hear the word NO, I automatically have a negative connotation associated with it. Are you the same? 

Let’s talk about it, shall we? 

No, is defined as a negative answer or decision. 

How about when we pray or believe God for something and he says NO? Ughhh! Agony! 

I can’t lie, I often have difficulty with God’s NO! I mean, yes I respect his answer but I don’t like it. (Smiles) I am writing this post because I think so many of us have the same feelings about hearing NO from the Lord. 

So, how can we deal with NO from the Lord and still move on? 

**Be honest with God about how you feel about his no. 

Sounds strange to say to be honest with the Lord concerning his answers to us when he already knows our thoughts. However, this point is imperative in helping us move forward. 

I’ve endured quite a lot in my life. Overwhelming grief from losing my parents, foiled career opportunities, loss of friendships and relationships, and so on. 

I have also had to deal with a lot of NO from God. Of course, my natural inclination was to say, “but why God? I’m not asking for outlandish things or operating in greed or why did you say no??” His answer remained as NO, but he has mostly been gracious in showing me why he said no. Sometimes that revelation didn’t come until years later. lol. 

Some things I’m still waiting on him to reveal why he said no. 

Even in all this, I’m still learning to talk back to the Lord, not in any disrespectful way. But in a way that allows us to then have a dialogue. Also, it allows the Lord to change my heart and open my eyes to a new perspective. Did you know that God wants to engage with us on a personal level? 

See, God’s way is not my way, and the way he sees things and people is certainly not the way I see them. Here’s scripture to back that one up! Isaiah 55:8-9

I’m so glad that God can see what I can’t. He helps me to avoid pitfalls when I listen to him and obey his direction.  In that context, I feel a lot better when I think of the NO. 

As I alluded to above, some things we may not know until we get to heaven!

Prayer:

Father God, help us to deal with NO in a way that brings a YES to your heart. In a way that is full of your grace and help us to exhibit your character in the season of NO. 

Lord, although NO is very hard for some of us to bear, please remind us that you have our best interest at heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen