Last week, I wrote about past experiences that built my tust in God and gave examples of answered prayer.
But to be real and authentic, I must also share with you times He said "No" to a prayer, or even "Wait."
Once, we lived in Indiana for about 4 years. This was a time of great poverty, yet some of our greatest spiritual growth. It was also when we saw the biggest answer to prayer in the form of a "Yes," which was the natural biological birth of our first daughter.
However; during that time there was also an answer to prayer in the form of a "No."
Our house in Illinois was being rented; yet we longed to sell it and get out from under the financial burden. Many prayers had been lifted heavenward concerning this debt, but no answer came. The house just would not sell.
Now, I had reasoned, "I pay my tithes, I give whatever I can in offerings, I've been faithful to you, God. Why will You not let our house sell?"
But God knew something I didn't. Jim would lose his job and we would have to go back home. We would need a place to stay.
More importantly, that house would be paid off when in the future Jim became ill and was unable to work. How thankful I was that at least I didn't have to worry about a mortgage when I became the breadwinner!
God was actually kind to say "No" to my prayer of asking for the house to sell.
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So, we see God's best for us might require a "No" answer from Him. Always trust Him and know He sees things we don't know.
Next time, we will talk about when God says "Wait."
This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "real" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.
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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.
Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.
Also, have you read my series, "Armed and Dangerous" about spiritual warfare? Click the links for part 1, part 2 and part 3
Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragement Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
Love this reminder that God sees the whole picture, which we do not.
ReplyDeleteRight! He knows your whole story and what needs to happen. Thanks for dropping in, GGG.
DeleteThank you for sharing your experience. A helpful reminder to keep trusting God, especially when we do not understand the events of our lives.
ReplyDeleteYes! I had no idea of what was going to happen in my life. If my house had sold, what would have happened when my husband could no longer work ??
DeleteSome of the greatest mercies of God come with his "no."
ReplyDeleteAmen! Thank God He doesn't just give us everything we ask for!
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ReplyDeleteAmen, Jerralea, I can think of times when God said "NO" too, and those answers could not have been more perfect!
Yes, some of the things I asked God for in the past are almost embarrassing now! So glad He knows what I need much more than I do!
DeleteI heard the Spirit of God whisper a "no" to me when a boyfriend of 1.5 years asked me to marry him. I was only 24. Thank the LORD it was a NO and that I sensed the Spirit talking to me because years later, after I was married to my now husband (I waited until age 30! but that was God's plan) and had 2 little girls, I received news that the boy from age 24 was now in prison for life. For severely abusing (i'll leave it up to your imagination) his own 11 yr old daughter (he had gotten married shortly after I broke up with him). Keep in mind, when I met him, I was not a strong Christian and he wooed me away from church, friends, etc. I should have seen the signs then but "thought" i was in love. The Spirit of God whispered to me and i was forever humbled and grateful for His mercy.
ReplyDeletePraising with you for God's protection over your life, Faith!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think God reads the desires of our heart so much better than we do - His no is certainly a yes to something better for us. When I was in the middle of the wait of a prayer sent out, a wise friend suggested that I pray that if what I was asking was not God's will, to take that desire away. I sure wish I had someone give me this lessons when I grew up:) But God knew! God's no is never a loss!
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