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Have you ever prayed with all your heart only to hear God say “no”? It can feel confusing, even crushing, when doors close or dreams slip away. But God’s denials are not His displeasures—or His desertions. In this excerpt from my book How to Know God’s Will: Making Godly Decisions in Every Situation (Chapter 10: God’s Delays, Detours, and Denials), I share how we can see His “no” as an expression of His deep love and greater plans for us. So here’s a way to change your perspective… When God Says NO |
Chapter 10
God’s Delays, Detours, and Denials
(Excerpt)
God’s Denials are Not His Displeasures or Desertions
Meditate on this for a while: God is for us—not against us (Rom 8:31). His plans are to prosper, not to harm us (Jer 29:11).
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
(Ps 40:5)
When God says no it is not because He is withholding His love or denying your dreams.
When God says no it is not because He doesn’t love you but because He does love you!
Many people think that a negative answer is punishment from the Lord, that He is displeased with us. This is wrong thinking. God does discipline His children, but that is different from withholding a favor or desire because we have been disobedient. That’s not how God works. He disciplines us for our good. He trains us as a good father does with his child.
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children.
…God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
(Heb 12:5-7, 10-11 NLT)
I was raised under a guilt-producing religious system. It has taken me years to understand that God’s love for me does not change. His love doesn’t increase when I do good, nor decrease when I do wrong. But He is not pleased when I sin. However, while His pleasure in me may fluctuate, His agape love never does.
I am still learning to grasp and live in this life-altering truth. If you haven’t embraced it for yourself yet, I pray that you will begin right now. Your Maker has your best interest at heart.
When He says no, it’s because a yes would be to your detriment. He has something far better in mind for you!
My friend, we can save ourselves so much heartache and disappointment if we would simply humble ourselves and let God be God. Whenever there appears to be a contradiction between life’s circumstances and God’s character, the error always lies on our end, not His! We must evaluate through the lens of His truth and yield even if we don’t like or fully understand what God is doing. We can calm our hearts like King David and pray,
Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].
(Ps 131:1-2 AMP)
