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Monday, October 15, 2007

When God Says 'No'

Do you ever have those times when God sends you a particular verse that will not let you go? That resonates so deeply you think of it every single day? He gave me one of those a few weeks back and I knew I had to share it with you:


"God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 The Message



As I read your blogs, so many of them are filled with hopes and dreams for life and ministry. So many are filled with praises for healed loved ones, opportunities the Lord has presented to bring Him Fame, anticipation of a new job, thanksgiving for a redeemed soul. And then there are the others. Chronicles of loss, heartache, and confusion as to why God said 'no' to the requests of your hearts.

I find myself in a similar season. Nothing so devastating as what many of you are experiencing, but a time of waiting and wondering nonetheless. God has orchestrated a potentially exciting opportunity for ministry; however, I have no concrete answers about whether it will come to pass or the details of what my life will look like if it does. Don't you despise waiting for the 'yes' or the 'no', no matter what the circumstance may be?

As I've prayed this thing through, God gave me this most assured word I just quoted to you from 1 Peter and it has comforted me in such a deep place. God is most careful with me. My soul sighs at the thought. The God of the Universe is so very careful about the 'yes' and 'no' He allows into my life. He knows the effect of both and whether they will serve for my good and His Glory. He comprehends if I can handle new pressures, if what I think I desire will actually be to my families' detriment, and if the end would not be the good thing He promised. He grieves when the 'no' results in great pain - when the healing doesn't come (except ultimately of course), when dreams are unrealized, when the child just doesn't get it. But in all of it, He is most careful, gentle, and wise in which path He sets our feet upon.


My prayer for you today is that you would accept this care. That you would cease striving and allow God to exercise His own due diligence on your behalf. Whatever the answer is you are seeking, it will be the best one. Even if the answer isn't what you wanted, you can live carefree knowing God's strong hand is on you - guiding, comforting, and lifting you up in due time.


All of this because He loves you so very much.






Please visit my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.



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11 Comments:

Blogger Chris @ Come to the Table said...

What a great word Lisa!

I love the thought that He is "most careful with us"

October 15, 2007 at 10:55 AM  
Blogger Joyce said...

Lisa,
I understand what you are going through. Fourteen years ago I prayed a pray about change in a job situation. Over the years He has given me clues to the answere and has asked me to do certain things to be ready for the answere. One of God's responces has be to Wait on the Lord. When God answeres this pray it will be beyond my wildest dreams.

October 15, 2007 at 10:58 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

It is a difficult place, when I am there I find myself anxious and ancy, but that is not what God wants. He is in control, not what I feel or what I dream. He has the best for me, and he always blows my dreams out of the water.

Sometimes giving me a ministry I had not even dreamed about.

October 15, 2007 at 11:13 AM  
Blogger Darlene Schacht said...

Lisa, that's such an awesome reminder that not only will God answer, but that He answers according to His will for us, which comes from deep consideration of our being. I'll be sure to remember that next time I wait on His answer.

October 15, 2007 at 11:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lisa,


God is careful with us!!! My soul sighs with this thought as well.

Awesome Post. Thank you.

October 15, 2007 at 11:59 AM  
Blogger jennyhope said...

Hey Lisa. This is soo timely for me today. I just prayed this morning about ministry and sometimes I am like Lord I know I need to grow but I want to contribute. Anyway, I was reading something this morning in my time with the Lord that prompted me to pray about this. It was about Mark 9 and the unbelief of the disciples and how the demon in the boy could only be cast out by prayer. I thought so much about how I need to spend more time praying instead of trying to push doors open for myself. I love that verse!! Thanks so much! Love Jenny

October 15, 2007 at 12:55 PM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

Oh Lisa that was wonderful. You know the stress I went through this summer. It reminded me to wait on HIM. If only I would have waited on HIM and not been so upset.God had something better waiting on me. Look what He did for me with this Drama Team! That first performance was such a blessing to me I will never forget the feeling. It will last a lifetime! Thanks for your wonderful words. You have such a sweet heart.

October 15, 2007 at 1:47 PM  
Blogger Janis Rodgers said...

The waiting is the hardest part, but that is sometimes when God is preparing us for the new ministry, life, and will for our life. Being able to give our life over to Him, even when things are not going as planned or as fast as we like, is part of growing and learning more about our relationship with Him. Great word today, Lisa! It really spoke to me. Love you, my friend. -Janis

October 15, 2007 at 2:58 PM  
Blogger Ann said...

Thanks, Lisa. I just got a big no, and I'm still struggling with it. So thanks for reminding me that God is careful with us--he has a purpose in all of this.

October 15, 2007 at 10:59 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you sweet one.

October 16, 2007 at 12:19 AM  
Blogger lori said...

Lisa...
I have stood there...
I gave a friend a card recently that said,
"No, is not a denial from God."
I should have bought two, and plastered one on the fridge!

Your words are true, HE knows so much more what we need...but as any child will tell you, 'no' can be tough..
thank you for posting this...
I needed to hear it....again!
peace,
lori

October 19, 2007 at 5:34 AM  

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