I always wonder as I make decisions or as I contemplate new adventures “Is God saying ‘No’?” You have so many decisions to make every day: a financial issue comes up, or the need to help out a family member or making decisions about your spiritual life. When these situations occur, what do you do?
Do you inquire of the Lord like David and other men and women of faith did? (1 Samuel 23:1-4, Judges 20:17 KJV)
I strongly believe that God allows us to have pauses so that we can evaluate our decisions with Him in mind and be willing to persevere through them whatever comes. I also believe that God sometimes says “No”.
Sometimes I can question God’s choices for me but I am reminded that my way of thinking is not God’s way of thinking. (See Isaiah 55:1-10) At times He will say “No” even to a plan that has been set in my heart and mind. Trusting God and his Holy Spirit takes obedience and surrender. It also takes faith to abandon your plan and embrace God’s.
God had said “No” to me many times… hard pill to swallow. But I have learned that when that happens God is taking care of me and protecting me from the very things that can pull my heart away from him. In the moment I seldom see it as God’s protection but in retrospect I see his love and his grace. He always changes my character, this I consider my added bonus.
Psalm 16: 5 has a beautiful way of putting things in perspective:
“Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my
lot secure…”
What God has promised you is yours. He will give you every opportunity to claim and enjoy his gifts to you. Have a little faith and a lot of surrender even when God says “No”.
Josiane Carty
