It's ok, when God says no

Praying to God and asking him for guidance isn’t as simple as, check yes or no. God will direct us in ways that are often times hard to comprehend. It can be you getting rejected from the college you wanted to go to, breaking up with a significant other, or losing your job in a pandemic. It may feel like you are being punished or as if God hasn’t heard your prayers, but that cannot be further from the truth. God’s “no” is a form of protection. We must find comfort that the same God that gave us life can be trusted to direct it.

“Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

Surely no one put pandemic on their 2020 vision board, it was an unforeseen reality we are all experiencing. Although we didn’t see it coming know that God certainly did and has already factored in the pandemic into your life and your purpose still exist. You may have lost things this year due to the pandemic, jobs, a lifestyle you grew accustomed to, and even relationships. In the end material things or luxuries won’t matter or even be in our possession, but God will never leave our side. Social distancing has allowed people to reevaluate their lifestyles and align their actions to their purpose and goals that without this time to reflect would have been further postponed. Take time to write out what blessings you have received in the midst of a pandemic, you may be surprised how many doors have been opened rather than closed.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

In church we have lingo and sayings we recite so often we forget its value. You’ve heard and probably have said, “God let your will be done.” It’s not just a catchy saying but it should be implemented into our lives as it speaks the truth. When we pray for something, we often assume that is correlates with God’s plan for our lives, then we are confused when we do not get what we asked. Our will can lead to destruction if not aligned to what God has planned for us. Author, Amber Morson explains that we should focus less on God saying “no” and find comfort with the fact that God “knows.”

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

If this pandemic has caused you to be discouraged and you feel like all you hear is “no,” consider tweaking your prayers. Ask God to guide your next steps instead of following your desires, see where God leads you. Allow God to reveal how you can live purposefully and God will translate his instructions into your actions.