Comments on: Is there life after “No”? (part 2)

By: Treisha

Treisha — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:48:32 +0000

I am a latecomer to your story, but found it during a HUGE transition in our family too. I have spent many days this month asking and praying about God’s will for me. I guess I am still stuck on when do you press through a hard time with a positive outlook because you know it is God’s will and when do you stop everything because you are as far off track from where you should be as absolutely possible. I can’t wait to read more of the story. Maybe you have an answer that I am desperately looking for
Treisha

By: Debbie/Africa

Debbie/Africa — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:15:45 +0000

Wow!! reading this hits home hard!!!! as a fellow expat it is amazing how our lives unfold before us and how we end up where we do. As you said above, “The loss of homeland and family felt like a physical wound. I bled; I cried.” it hurts leaving it all behind!!
My story is vastly different then yours, but we both ended up in the USA and I love reading your blog and strolling through you old posts.

Hope you have a great week!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:36:49 +0000

Thank you so much for your blog! I’m in the middle of that “No.” Everyday I cry for the Lord to take me out of my job…Everyday I anguish for God to give my husband a job “nearby” and soon! So I can choose the kind of job I like! (He’s been out of work for over a year!) For God to get me out of a church I really don’t believe anymore in. But He says “No….Wait…” And it’s driving me up the wall. I’ve tried crying, wailing, fasting, throwing a tantrum, silent treatment, and anger. Still, the answer is “No”. And I know, because in time past He has given me my heart’s desires, that He can very well do anything! Anything! So, why No? Why?! It might be because it’s hard to be believe when things aren’t going my way…I know, He’s testing me to trust in His love for me…. I know, He wants me to believe with all my heart that He still loves me and He wants what’s best for me…Even though I am in agony…Everyday I have no other choice but to abide in Him, and say Jesus, please help me…strengthen me today please…Help me to hang in here…

By: yutake

yutake — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:43:17 +0000

thank you. a relationship I thought would work out did not work out. it’s painful and I asked many questions. but in the end I decided not to fret and it’s been amazing, how when I just ask God for closed doors and open doors and really leave it in His hands, he is healing me faster than I expected. Thanks for sharing about “When God Says No”. I’m going to share this post with a friend who recently miscarried.

By: SusanJ

SusanJ — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:31:21 +0000

I relate the “no” part so well. What I feel really blessed to have discovered in my very painful journey is that there are always things God says “yes” to, like: being tender-hearted, generous, forgiving and forbearing, use your skills and talents, build up the church with your spiritual gifting, living a quiet life and seeking to be at peace with others, etc…this is His will.

I have believe that as long as you are in God’s will, you are in God’s plan. Maybe we suffer so much heartache because along with the “smiley Christian” stuff we stick to this script that “Jesus loves you and has a plan for your life.” Chapter and verse please???! That, to me, is a set-up because then we expend far to much energy searching for that right time and place for a “ministry” or contentment when our day-to-day life is what counts, wherever we are! And believe me, I have been a lot of places I’d rather not have been!
Love to you all on this journey.

By: Becky Sakas

Becky Sakas — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:19:49 +0000

Wow. Just what I needed to hear. I have had my share of no’s and they are never easy to hear. Especially from my loving, caring God. But he has a plan for me that is much bigger and beautiful than any I could envision for myself. So I will take strength from your beautiful story, and smile anyway knowing that even though He said no He understands my pain. Thank you so much for sharing this.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:06:00 +0000

Thank you for blessing us with this beautiful, uplifting testimony.
Praying God’s Blessings on you and yours.
Harry

By: Sharon Hurkens

Sharon Hurkens — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:58:46 +0000

Yes, there is life after God says “No!” amen to your response.

We have certainly experienced the pain of God’s “no!” in the plural. We too are from South Africa and had to leave family and friends because God said “go.”

By: Vel

Vel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:38:02 +0000

I too understand God’s “no.” I also see in hind-site why we (my husband and I) were told “no.”

We desperately wanted his son from his first marriage to come live with us in New Jersey. I prayed so hard that the court would allow this. The court date for the judge to decide would be the first time in my Christian walk that I had a solid and profound answer from God, one that 8 years later still leaves me with goose-bumps. As God as my witness I share this with you. All I prayed was for God to give the judge the wisdom of Solomon. The courtroom became icey cold without the a/c on, then the judge spoke her response for our petition to keep the child and let his mother move to Florida, “I cannot divide the child.” I knew at that very moment that I had heard the voice of God and He was telling us “no.”

Now, fast-forward 8 years, we were led to Florida as well, 6 months after we bought a house in Florida the boy moved in with us, 6 months after that both the boy and my husband were saved. Those 2 saved lives are just the beginning of how I know why we were told “no.” Because those 2 lives were saved at least 5 more lives have been saved that I know of. And, my husband and I are starting a ministry for step-families at our church.

I now look at everything with awe to see how God is going to make it work for His glory, and I pray over every situation that it is a glory moment for Him.

I heard something from Dr. Stanley the other day that might be useful to all who read this site, I will paraphrase as I cannot remember enough to quote. We need to learn to say ‘God/Lord, what would you have me do in this situation?’ Instead of ‘What am I going to do about this situation?’

And, lastly, a piece of good advice from Mom, “God has His reasons, and you might never know them.”

I pray God’s blessings for you and your’s. I will be a constant visitor here.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:13:34 +0000

I had been questioning God for a long time about my marriage and all He seemed to be saying is ‘no.’ I finally understood what my mother always told me, “God knows best.” He says ‘no’ not because He doesn’t care, but because He does. Love your post!