When God Says No...

Hey friends!!

It's Breanna here, and today I am going to be talking about hearing the word no.

Hearing no can be really hard, especially for a planner like me. It also doesn't help that we live in a world that praises instant gratification. You work hard, pray hard, dream big, and things will happen exactly the way you want them to. That’s how life works, right?

Unfortunately no. Life is rarely that linear.

Sometimes you work really hard and hope for the best, yet still fall short of your dream. Sometimes you do all the right exercises and eat all the right things, yet still suffer from illness. Sometimes you study to the best of your ability, yet still fail the test. Sometimes you try your best to keep the peace, yet there is still conflict within your family.

Where is God in these moments?

Dear friend, take heart, because God is in the miracle working business.

Even though we can’t always see what He is doing, He has a plan that is immeasurably greater than anything we could ever ask for or imagine.

Let me give you an example of how God turned several no’s into the best yes I could’ve ever asked for:

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For the past five years of my life, I have been heavily involved in an organization called the FFA. Two of my favorite contests were Chapter Conducting and Forage Evaluation. I competed in these events since the 8th grade. Every single year, my sister and I would run full-speed towards the prize: a state championship. However, for 4 years straight, we fell short. God said no. The door to state championships in these events was continuously slammed in our faces even though we tried our very best. After each loss, we were discouraged. We were upset. We were disappointed.

Soon, however, it was time to pick ourselves up again. The next season would roll around, and those negative feelings of sadness and disappointment only fueled our desire to do even better. FINALLY, our senior year of high school, God reached down from heaven and blessed Harmony FFA with a state championship in both Chapter Conducting and forage evaluation. It was absolutely amazing.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Although I couldn't see it at the time, I now see why God didn’t allow us to win those 4 years. It was because he wanted to show us just how powerful He is our senior year- when we needed it most. He wanted to get the glory- not us.

It was during those losses that I gained skills such as team work, patience, and perseverance. I don't think I would have learned this skills had God allowed things to happen the way I originally wanted them to.

Now, you may be thinking, "This example is silly compared to huge problems I am facing."

However, from God’s perspective, our big problems have simple answers.

God's answers to our problems are rooted in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Allow yourself to rest in Him when things don't go your way. (FYI, This is so much easier said than done).

The next time God says no, challenge yourself to trust Him. Challenge yourself to say “God, I don’t understand right now, but someday I will.” Pour your heart out to Him, and let Him comfort you. Ask Him what He thinks about your situation. Spend time with Him. Trust that the no you are facing is only preparing you for a greater yes down the road.

Thanks for reading. I hope this encouraged you :)