I am sure most of you who are reading this are people of prayer. Prayer is our communication with God, a time I treasure and hope you do as well. God answers all of our prayers, just sometimes not the way we want to. When He says, "Yes" that is great! "Thank YOU God! You are awesome!!!" We generally have no problem at all when God gives us our request.
But sometimes God says, "Wait." We aren't as excited about that answer are we? Perhaps God knows you aren't ready for what you are asking, or perhaps you need to be stretched a little more so what you are enduring is necessary for Christian growth and maturity. "Wait" is something we just don't like to do. We get bent out of shape if we have to sit more than a couple of minutes in the drive thru. But God has a reason for us to be patient we just need to accept that.
And to be quite honest, sometimes God says, "No!" There are those who want what they want and God says, "NO, that is not what is best!" But we don't like, "No" at all!! And so we are sometimes like little children, we want to hold our breath, throw a temper tantrum, kick and scream and hope our actions will change God's mind. But there is a reason God said no. And as Christians we need to be willing to accept God's will.
In the Garden Jesus asked that the cup pass. He asked that He not have to go through what was facing Him in the next few hours. What did God say? "No Son, this is my will for You." If God can tell Jesus, "No" then He certainly can tell me "No" can't he?
Yet, when we don't get our way with one tactic, we try another one. And if that doesn't work, we will try something else. And we might even eventually get our way. But does that mean it was now God's will? I don't think so. I believe sometimes we try to get our way so hard that God allows "our way" to happen, Perhaps just to show us that He was right to say "No" so many times. Perhaps to show us that when we try so hard to get our way, we need a lesson to learn. It's been my experience that when God says "No" it's best to accept it and lean on Him even stronger.
Is it easy to know what God's will is? I believe it is. God can be very clear if only we slow down, get quiet and listen. Sometimes He yells His answer very loud! Sometimes He is more subtle. But He always answers. If you are one who thanks God for "yes's" I challenge you to also thank Him for the "no's" and the "wait's." His will is what is best in all situations, regardless of our wants.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
