We have all been there. We want something so very much, but the answer is "No." The sting is real. The hurt aches just as much as a punch to the stomach. Your shoulders drop, your smile fades, and you are left standing there as the crowd moves away and goes back about their business. You feel as if you have failed. Today I received a "No" and I will be honest. It hurts. The enemy tries to use it to nibble away at my confidence and cause me to just give up. But I'm learning...."No" is not always such a bad thing to hear.
For example, there was the job I tried for over and over again, only to be told "No" each time. Then one day, after deciding I was just fine where I was, I felt that nudge to try one more time. To step out in faith and rely totally on Him. He would lead where He wanted me to go. So I tried...and I got the job. The whole story is a blog for another day.
After I finally got that "yes", however, I had to ask God why. Why now? Why not all the other times I tried. The response I felt in my heart was simple. "Because you weren't ready. I'm taking you into a land of milk and honey...but there are giants in the land. If I had allowed you to go in before, you would have been consumed." Now, I've got to be honest; I really liked all that milk and honey part, but the giant part I could have done without! Once I got the job...I met a few of those giants and I'm so glad God made me wait!
I'm learning....slowly, that "No" is not always a bad thing. How many times in my life has God said "No" and it wasn't till years later that I discovered why? It's as if the word "No", really means - "I love you." It is a way of saying, I've got something much better in mind for you. Oh, we can't imagine it as that because we have our own plans, our own way of viewing success. But as I have to remind myself daily, my thoughts are not God's thoughts. My ways are not God's ways. His way is perfect - fully mature and without flaw or blemish. My ways...well, they are just that - mine.
So for today, I'll take the "no" that I received and choose to rejoice in it. God loves me and He knows I'm not ready yet. Maybe I never will be....but it's really not mine to decide. Once again, His gentle voice says "Trust me." I want my response to be simply "Yes."
Isaiah 55: 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Some of you may remember this song from years ago...I'm choosing it to be my anthem for today:
Yes, Lord, Yes" - Shirley Caesar
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
To your will and to your way
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust you and obey
When your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes
Lord, I give you all the glory
For what you've done for me (or "for what you've given me")
You fill my life until I overflow
All I have (or "am") is yours to use
Anyway you choose
You're the Lord of lords, so how can I say no?
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
To your will and to your way
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust you and obey
When your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes
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