trbccoffeebreak

“but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Proverbs 1:33 (ESV)

“No!” Definitely not the response we want to hear.  We love “yes” and we endure “wait,” but “no” echos a non-negotiable. Final answer.  Had one of those recently and it so frustrated me.    Regardless of my manipulation and persistence, the big “no” still won out.   You see, I’m a planner kind of girl so when “no” gets in the way of what I want to do then disappointment rears its ugly head.  Never once did I contemplate the logic of why “no” was the best solution.

Isn’t that the way we view all our “no’s” with a limited perspective?  Looking only at our angle of what appears to be the best yes ever.  We can even visualize the sweetness of  it – our happy place delivering exactly what we desired. Go ahead….move forward…get what you really want.  The allure of yes evokes deep satisfaction and joy. Unfortunately “yes” is overrated if it leads us in a direction we should have avoided.

Buried underneath my limiting “no” was God’s divine protection.  The reality of this answer wasn’t evident until the next day, but it was absolutely on target.  Had I pressed on despite God’s caution, I would have landed in a very vulnerable place affecting not only me but others as well.

Wonder when we will ever learn the value of resting in God’s response?

Perhaps the reason we question “no” is our tendency to feel God is holding out on us.  You know, like Eve in paradise who had all the yes she could ever need except for one distinct “no.” Just zeroing in on the “no” and entertaining the dangerous rationale of the enemy unveiled sin’s devastating consequences (Genesis 3).

Maybe the reason we reject “no” is our unwillingness to wait.  You know, like Sarai whose desire for a child led her to a surrogate gone wrong.  Navigating her own solution, Sarai’s choice to manipulate an heir for her husband landed her in a sea of regret (Genesis 16).

Could it be the reason we ignore “no” is our desire to do things our way.  You know, like Rebekah’s scheme to ensure Jacob received his father’s blessing.  Her deceptive plan backfired and resulted in being separated from her favorite son (Genesis 27).

Wow – bet we can definitely see ourselves questioning, rejecting and ignoring the protection of our God.  Welcoming “no”  is the best option when we understand His love is the driving force behind restraint.

As we head into a new year, let’s determine to rest, trust and embrace God’s answers.  And for those moments when we are tempted to take control may we seek His logic and accept His perspective instead of our own.

“Father, leaning into our desires will often led us further away from Your protection.  Help us to move in sync with You each day and trust Your sovereign plan.

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life