When the Answer is "No"

There is a matter that has been a personal prayer concern for this whole semester. It is something that I have prayed for on a weekly, if not a daily, basis, for the past three months. In fact, I had spent a good bit of time yesterday really praying and seeking the Lord's face, and last night, I got my answer. It was a resounding "no."

Let's be real. It's not always easy to get a "no." Sometimes, it hurts. Especially when it's something that you've prayed long and hard for.

There is relief in finally getting answer. But sometimes, it's not always the answer that you want to hear.

In relation, the beloved father of a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer my junior year of high school, and for four years, our whole faith family prayed that God would heal him. He had such a testimony, was such a light in our community, and God was using his cancer as a platform to share the Gospel. God specifically burdened my heart for this family, and I was constantly lifting up prayers on their behalf. It weighed on my mind and my heart. I remember when I found out that he died. All I could do was get into my truck and drive home sobbing. It was a heart-wrenching "no" to the numerous prayers issued by his family, our church, the community, and myself. I wasn't even his child or related to him, so I cannot even imagine the depth of his family's pain.

A "no" is not always easy to hear, but as painful as it can be, it should garner our response of praise to God. When I seek the wisdom of the Father, I have to respect His answer because there is wisdom in His "no." There is love in His "no." There are factors and variables of whose existence I am not even aware, but He is certainly aware of them all. He knows the plan that He has for all of creation and how each person's role ties into His overarching design. He knows what He has planned for my life and for the lives of others. He knows what needs to happen for that plan to be effected. He knows what I need to learn. He knows what will distract me from His purpose. He knows everything. So how can I be upset with His "no" when He knows best? How can I be upset with His "no" when I know that He loves me? I can praise God when I receive a "no" because His plans are better than mine. Because His thoughts are higher than mine. He knows all, and He is sovereign. So even though a "no" hurts and even though my heart is quite bruised at such a response, there is hope. I know that there is hope because I know in Whom I hope. I know that He is enough. He is sufficient.

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth." -Job 19:25

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9