Ever look back on your life and think about some of the ridiculous things that a younger, very immature version of yourself prayed for?

I’m not just talking about things. This can include relationships, job opportunities, asking God to allow you to stay in places that you know are no longer propelling you in the right direction—- whether it’s friend groups, churches, or jobs, etc. The list goes on and on.

Can you imagine your 16 year old self as a newly licensed driver, getting their first job and then praying to God for a Maserati? Would it be wise for you to drive a $200,000 car to your local High School every day? And would you want to spend your paycheck from your afterschool job to cover the $900 cost of an oil change? And we haven’t even considered car insurance!

I’m so thankful for all the times God said, “No.”

Now if you’re about to tell me the scripture that says, “ All the promises of God are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). I know that one. If you’re about to tell me that God will give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4), I know that one, too.

But the younger and/or immature versions of ourselves didn’t know how to “count up the costs” of our prayers. We knew to pray to get that luxury car but praying for the wisdom to manage, steward and keep it … was probably not on our radar. The truth is… God’s “No” usually applies when you’ve asked for something that’s not in His will for you, when answering your prayers your way would cause harm to yourself or others, in ways that you were unaware.

So, instead of giving your 16 year old self a new Maserati, He blessed you with a 7 year old Honda Civic. Instead of allowing you to keep that old job, He blessed you to move to the company where you’d meet your future spouse. And because He knew their hearts, that friend group had to push you out… for your sake. Did you notice that God’s “No” to the Maserati wasn’t a “No” to your having a car? And His “No” to your staying in a dead end job was His “Yes” to a better job and a spouse? See, what appears to be God’s “No” can also mean “Not this way” or “Not at this time.” It took years but, I have learned to trust God’s “No.” And instead of pouting, now I praise Him because I fully understand that His plans for me are far better than any plans I could have for myself.

Listen, I’m not sure what you’ve requested of God, but remember He knows the end from the beginning and all the parts in between. He loves you unconditionally. So, even if you don’t understand His reasons, in the moment, keep the faith and … trust God’s “No.”

Keep the Faith, LifeSpeakers!

Love,
Wilma

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