When God says no, people jump to the conclusion that He is just not listening, doesn’t care, or is punishing us for some reason. In reality, it is the opposite. God says no because He knows things we don’t. He sees a future we can’t. He loves us more than we can imagine and only wants the best–His best for our lives.

2MefromHim Devotionals

When God Says No

Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Imagine walking to the other side of a bus in a church parking lot full of friends to discover your boyfriend kissing another girl. Anger? Oh, yeah! Hurt? I thought it would never stop. We survive heartbreaks when we’re 16 years old. We don’t think we will, but we do. I prayed for the desire of my own heart and God said no.

Painful experiences at any age send us in search of comfort. They make us long for understanding, meaning, and purpose. No matter our age, pain craves help. Loving friends and family, platitudes about time healing all wounds, even a new relationship can’t erase the pain of a betrayal of trust, a very deep hurt.

I didn’t grow up in a strong Bible teaching church, so being invited to attend Young Life at that vulnerable point in time was God’s providence. I grasped at the offer of a personal relationship with Christ. A God of comfort and healing soothed my aching wounds and sent me on a search to get acquainted with the God who sees me—the God who healed my heart.

I’m in my 60’s now. If you think you don’t remember those teenage hurts, you’re wrong. The memory lingers, but with it comes wisdom. Turns out, I wasn’t in love with him. I was in love with love.

God had a plan for my pain, a plan to draw me to Himself. That guy may have broken my heart, but he sent me running to Jesus and introduced me to the love of my life, my husband of 40 years. Making my own choices would have led to much more pain and heartbreak. Life is never perfect, but I have been blessed, and great blessing came through that heartbreak.

When God says no to the desire of our hearts, He has good reason. We can’t see very far down the road, but Jesus knows every twist and turn our path will take. He knows what we need to see us through future pain and hardship. When God says no, trust Him. His plans are for our best.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, February 28, 2017

About the Author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: https://lpcbooks.com/norma-gail/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173