Consider Lily Articles Gallery

when-god-says-no When God Says No Trusting that His answers are best by Holly S. Have you ever wanted something so much and could not have it? Have you ever earnestly prayed for something and God said no? There is a man who I wanted very much for 20 months. It was mutual attraction for awhile and even discussion of a potential marriage in the future if it would be the Lord's will. My strong desires for him would cripple me at times, overtaking my mind and body, where sometimes sleep felt like the only escape. I prayed day in and day out, crying out to the Lord with all that was within me to have this man and to be his. Finally, after God's loooong silence, He answered. His answer? "No." God knew I could not have this man, because he would take His place in my heart. God will not allow anything in my life that is going to compete with His rightful first place. How would it be a good gift if it would cause my relationship with God to suffer? This was not the answer I wanted or asked for. It is everything I prayed not to happen, and it happened. Yet I can honestly say that I have never loved God so much as at this moment. I have never felt more fulfilled in Him than now. I have never worshiped Him more fully and wholeheartedly than today. I love Him! There are no words to explain this peace that passes understanding. There was a moment of disappointment and sadness. There is pain. But who says pain is bad? This pain has drawn me closer to the Lord than I have ever been in my life. I don't understand why things happen the way they do. Forget understanding. "For My ways are higher than your ways," declares the Lord, "and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). My situation makes no logical sense to my finite mind. But God always does things right. His is always the best way, even if it seems all wrong. If you asked God for one thing and received another, trust. We can be sure that He will always give us what we need at the appropriate time. What we want is not always what we need! God knows that we need greater faith and will take us through certain situations to build that faith. Faith is not an emotion. Faith is trust in God's unchanging character despite the changing circumstances. God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He knows best! God never fails. His love endures forever. Rejection from a man does not determine our identity. What I thought I wanted and what I got instead are opposites! But you know what? God is sufficient! "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him" (Lamentations 3:24). For whatever you are going through in life, Jesus is enough. His grace is sufficient. His power is stronger than your strongest desire. His peace is more than you could ever imagine or wish for. His eternal plans and unchanging character are almost too good to be true, but not. He is true; He is the Christ; He does the best possible thing even when it doesn't make sense. When God says, "No," embrace His answer and keep going. Set the Lord continually before you. He will not abandon your soul. He will make known to you the path of life. In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forever! In Him are more pleasures than anything else we think we want. Though your heart and flesh may fail, let God be the strength of your heart and your portion forever.