When God Says “NO”

Acts 16:6-10 New International Version (NIV)

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 New International Version (NIV)

7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So, what do we need to know when we face what seems like a “NO” from God.  Here are a few things to consider.  This may not be an exhaustive list and it may be that several of these factors are true at the same time.  But hopefully it will give us better insight into what God may be doing in our lives

 1.    God has a different means of getting us to the same end

2.    Saying yes is out of line with His Nature, Character or Will

3.    God knows that saying yes will hurt us 

4.    God has a much better Yes

5.    God wants to move us towards a greater position of trust, faith and maturity

6.    A “NO” today doesn’t mean a “NO” forever