The Case of the “No’s”
The best no is always better than an empty yes. A no full of reason can save us so much time while a yes that leads to nowhere can cause us pain, discontentment, loss and the list goes on. Often times I have thought that yes to my desires would lead me closer to God, closer to my dreams and even closer to others—but that is not true. I’m learning that it is important to allow any and everything in life to lead me closer to the arms of God. It’s beneficial for me to seek His face above His hand. To seek His friendship above His provision. To seek His heart above what I desire and what I believe is right for me. It’s important that I put first things first. This is Kingdom business.
I had it all wrong. ‘Yes’ would lead me to God and yes defined His plan for me. But what if His plan is no, for that thing—whatever it may be—in order to lead me to His best yes. Someone dear to me always reminds me that, rejection equals protection. Often times God doesn’t say yes in order to protect us from what that yes would lead to. Maybe that yes would somehow lead us away from Him instead of closer and His desire is and has always been for you and for me. He’s after us. He wants us. He stopped at nothing to prove it. #HelloJesus God loved us so much that He gave us Jesus. His one and ONLY SON. He gave One life to receive many. The amazing thing is that Jesus not only died for us, but He also rose for us. He lives so that we can.
I get it, no can be disappointing. No can hurt because we know what we want. We know what we need…or do we? God knows us intimately and intricately. He designed us and He is aware of every desire of our heart—the good and the maybe, not so good. At least not good for us. So, what if we were to view every no through the eyes of our Loving Father who only wants what is best for us? What if we viewed the no’s as ‘not now,’ ‘this isn’t right for you,’ ‘there is something better’? We may find that the no was leading us to the best yes and had we settled, we may have never experienced the best that God had for us. Because ultimately, there’s always something better.
I probably have said this in just about every post but, this is for me! Most, if not all of my posts are things I’ve gone through or am going through. So, take that to mean whatever you want, but this is where I am right now. I. Don’t. Like. “No.” I don’t think anyone does. The problem is, sometimes I’ve allowed no to hinder me from moving on to something else. Sometimes, I’ve allowed no to move me somewhat further from God instead of closer. I absolutely love the people God has placed in my life, I am so blessed! I have these amazing mentors who speak into my life some of the same things that God tells me or has told me and I may have been too stubborn to listen…Thank You Jesus for still loving me!!! Lol, but seriously!
Recently one of them was a voice of reason to me. They literally helped me to see a situation in a better light. All of the above was most likely birthed out of said conversation. 😉 But there are some big decisions being made in my life and some big moves, y’all I graduate this year!! All that to say, I am going to be in a place where I have to risk the no’s to get to the best yes. It sort of scares me but like in everything that I currently do or will ever do; I must do it by faith. The best part is, I’m not alone AND my setup is for success. When I remember that God is with me, His plans for me are good and ultimately for success in my final outcome, I can approach no’s in a different way. I can allow them to lead me closer to God instead of further away.
I can seek His heart on the matter and find that maybe I missed it, maybe there’s something better, or maybe, there’s a preparation that needs to happen. No matter the case, I do not want to ever again allow anything to lead me away from God. He’s my lifeline—in fact He is my life and I can’t do life without Him! Maybe this is for you too. We are all in different seasons and life happens. No one is immune to hearing no, it’ll happen. It’s when we allow no to be just that, a no, that we begin to see from a place of hope instead of disappointment. No is the worst that can happen so we’re free to move on to the next thing. The best that can happen is the no that leads us closer to God and in turn leads us to the best yes which ends in us being in God’s perfect will for us.
God is good. He knows us best and He knows what is best. I don’t know about you but I’m ready to start living like I really believe that. Let’s do it together! I hope that this post encouraged you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, let’s chat! As always, feel free to share this with a friend or a few.
Originally written 12/05/2017; changes made May 01, 2018
Be Encouraged:
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11)