Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.

How many of you have prayed intensely for God to answer a particular prayer request? The majority of us have. Over a decade ago, I prayed fervently and even fasted for God to intervene in my favor and answer a request which I brought to His throne room frequently. Well as much as I pleaded with God, He didn’t answer my request in the manner I thought He should. Frankly, His answer was “No”. At the time, I was immature in my faith and I thought I knew what was best for me. So instead of accepting God’s answer of “No”, I continued to pray over the situation believing that God will somehow change His mind or that I will be able to twist His arm into saying “Yes” even though all the signs were pointing towards a closed door. My plan never succeeded which resulted in disappointment, heartache, distress, and even anger towards God. What I’ve learned from my situation and past experiences is that God doesn’t always answer “Yes” to my requests. There are times when His answer will be “No” or “Wait”. Through my trials, He has taught me how to embrace and accept His answer of “No” while not getting upset. He has shown me that He’s not a genie in a bottle Who sits at my beck and call. If He says “No”, it’s because He has a much better plan and that particular request doesn’t line up with His perfect will for my life.

I share this as some people may feel that because they pray and plead with God, He is obligated to answer their prayer request(s) with a “Yes” response. We have to remember that God’s ways are not our ways. There are times when He will say “No” and we need to learn to embrace those “No” answers while trusting and believing He knows what’s best for each of us. Sometimes we think we can force God to say “Yes”. I did in my earlier years as a Christian. Now I look back and I thank God for answering “No” to certain prayer requests.

I encourage you all to trust God and when He doesn’t answer your requests as you think He should, remember that His plan for your life is far better than what you may want in the moment. He sees the bigger picture and when He says “No”, it is because He has something much better in mind. The worst thing you can do is to try and twist God’s arm into saying “Yes” or continue to pray for something He has already said “No” to. Believe me, I’ve tried many years ago and this doesn’t work. Frustration, discouragement, anxiety, and anger are the outcomes. If events are happening in your life that point to a closed door, heed the signs. Don’t lay around at an already closed door! If you do, you will not be able to move forward in the purposes and plans of God and you are depriving yourself of all the wonderful blessings He has in store for you. Embrace His “No” as a blessing and not a curse. His plan for your life is for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Trust the Lord with your life and believe that He is looking out for your best interest. He’s a Good Good Father and He knows how to give good gifts to His kids.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.