When No is a Glorious Promise from God
The answer was NO.
I sat quietly listening to the explanation as everything fell apart, and my dreams for the day slipped out of my shaky fingers.
I’d held on tightly for so long — I thought if I just tried harder or prayed longer I could keep everything in my grasp.
But the answer was NO.
A piercing cry rose up from my heart. Why God? Why? Why? Why?
I wanted to understand. but I just couldn’t think of one positive outcome from this obvious mistake.
I spent the next 24 hours sulking in bed. I wanted to stay in my pajamas permanently and pretend NO had never happened.
Have you ever wanted to hide from a NO? Maybe like me you’ve experienced the heartbreak of
- No Love
- No Forgiveness
- No Approval
- No Gratitude
- No Cooperation
NO never seems to play nice.
NO is exhausting.
NO makes me feel hopeless.
Friend, if you’ve heard a hard NO this week, you are not alone.
NO is a bully, and I decided to fight back by picking up my Bible. And you know what I learned? God can transform NO into a glorious promise.
10 Ways No is a Glorious Promise from God
No defeat
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV
No shame
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1, NIV)
No impossible situations
For no word from God will ever fail. (Luke 1:37)
No disaster
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. (Psalm 91:10)
No Fear
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)
No overwhelming temptation
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
No Sin
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
No Death
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
No Sadness
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 35:8-10)
No Limits
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:5)
This week, I am going start my day praying through these Scriptures to remind myself God’s NO is a glorious promise to me. Want to join me?
I’ve created a one-page printable of these 10 Glorious Promises for you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As we claim God’s Word, we will begin to see God’s redemption at work through every rejection we face. Disappointment cannot defeat us if we stand securely on bedrock Truth. Your faithful God will not fail to fulfill His promises for Your life.
Every NO from God is part of His Providential plan to protect you.
⇓
If you are visiting from First 5 today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
-
- LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
- PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
- HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
- STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve. .
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
This message came at a time when I found God saying “no” to me about an upcoming trip. After some painful weeks, I had a blood tests that revealed I could be suffering from arthritis or Parkinson’s. It was sobering to me as I wanted to do a bit of travel on my own, since my dear husband stays home to care for our aging pets. Your explanation of His care and understanding about what is best for me gave me time to rest and reflect on how wonderful our Lord is. His ways are always for our good and to protect us from danger. I’m disappointed in the “no” but now feel I have been given time to heal and to pursue other avenues of adventure.
Kathy, thanks for sharing a bit of your story with us today. Praying for your healing now and asking God to give you peace as you step into his next season.
No fear …
Yes, yes, that’s the beat of my heart.
That verse has been on my heart all week, too!
Recently I got a “no” from a small-part time job. It was frustrating because I’d spent 6-8 hours preparing, going through 3 interviews (after the resume and application) yet I MYSELF had to say no because of one small piece of information my prospective employer hadn’t told me. I was frustrated at what I viewed as wasting my time and hers, especially since it could have been avoided a bit of upfront honesty at the get-go. But your post and these “NO”s from God are encouraging me, friend.
So thrilled about your First5 devos and about your joining our writer friend group.
Oh friend, my heart hurts for you. May God open doors for you and provide an even better position for you to use your gifts. HUGS
These are all powerful scriptures and great reminders, Lyli, of who God is in the “Nos” of life. I’ve come to believe now that when God says “no” to one thing He’s said “yes” to something else. Thank you for sharing!
Yes and amen, my sister. 🙂
Lyli, we writers must hear the word NO so often as we pursue our dreams. I know what you mean…I’d love to pull the covers over my head some days after I hear no. But a wise writer once told me that hearing NO’s means you can call yourself a professional, because NO’s are part of the business. That made me feel better, and I hope it encourages you too! Pinning and tweeting your wonderful post today, friend.
Love that, Sarah
Write on, sister. xo
Thanks Lyli, how amazing to turn from your hurts and fins positives in the NO. May God bless you in His No.
Thank you, Fiona.
I have total peace that this NO was truly God’s providence in my life.
Those “no’s” are hard at the time, aren’t they?! Ugh! I’ve often found a look in reverse, weeks or years later, reinforces the point of one or many of the scriptures above. No in God’s book is good. Keep running the race well, Lyli. That “no”, I have a feeling, will be a pivitol turn in your walk with Him. <3
Yes, I had a similar conversation on this very subject with the women at my table last night for Week 3 of Beth Moore’s The Quest at church. Many times, looking back, you see God’s hand in a situation that was crazy when you were walking through it.
I wrote about finding God’s protection when we feel God’s rejection last week… These are great “no’s” from God! Blessings!
#KindredSpirit! 🙂
Awesome that you are writing for First 5!
And I share your dislike of that tiny word, but you’ve helped my perspective with your insights today.
Thanks, as usual, for good words from the heart.
Thanks, friend. First 5 is awesome, and it is a joy to study the Word in community. The current study on the Minor Prophets is wonderful. I am so excited about it!
GOOD!!!
Sometimes “no” can be a blessing in disguise. We moved just before my freshman year of high school, and the school I went to was divided into fairly strict social groups. I have never seen another place so clique-ish. I felt like a social outcast even though I had never had trouble making friends before. Finally I found one other friend and was happy. I had a crush on a guy in the upper echelons of the social strata, but that was an impossible dream. Years later I found out there was a lot of unwholsesome stuff going on in that group, and I was so glad God shielded me from it, even though it was painful at the time.
Thanks for sharing the blessings of “no.”
Wow, Barbara! Thanks for sharing that. God really does protect us with NO.
Lyli, NO never seems to play nice…so true. But I love all the glorious ways No is used in Scripture. Hallelujah! That will preach and is shouting material. Thank you for this beautiful and powerful post. Such fresh insight. By the way, I took your reader survey. Excited with you about your book project. I’ll be covering it in prayer that God partners with you.
Thanks, Karen! xo
I despise “no” like everyone else. One particular time I asked God to slam the door shut so I would understand the answer. He did, and then I tried to pry it open. I laugh now when I look back and how I was so desperate to get a “yes” for what I thought was best yet God had a better plan. It was a plan I would never have chosen on my own. Thank goodness he is God and I am not.
I can tell we are alike. I need to just let it go, but it’s so hard sometimes.
HUGS
Lyli, thank you for this. That “no” can be so discouraging and Lord knows I’ve had a few lately. Even if it’s a “not yet” it can often feel like a no. Your posts always keep my faith grounded in the truth of his Word. Glad to have you in our writer group, friend!
Sometimes Not yet is harder than the NO, I find. I hate waiting.
Wonderful roundup of scripture. The Lord says no because of His sovereign will. He is always right even is we are being tested. It is hard to swallow but He know what is best for us. Thanks for hosting!
I know HIs timing is perfect in my head… but I still struggle with the surrender of the reins.
Blessings on your spring break, Lyli! May God fill you up during this time of rest and renewal in Him!
Thanks, June. HUGS
Thank you for sharing this powerful list of NOs from our good, good Father. He KNOWS what is for our highest good.
Your post is timely. I had a “I just want to hide out in bed” day this week as well!