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NO!! VERY LOUD AND VERY CLEAR!

Hey friends, how are you doing? How was your weekend? We have entered the fourth week of the new year, what have you accomplished? Are you on the path to ensure that your plans become a reality? Remember, ‘failure to plan’ leads to ‘plan to fail’.  In order for success to become a certainty, we have to put plans into place.  Once these plans are made, do not forget to enact those plans.  If you’re anything like me, the easy part is always writing down the plans, the hard part is putting it into practice. I don’t know why… well actually, I do know why that is; it takes strength to be courageous and brave at the thought of rejection; at the thought of a ‘possible “no”’.  Most times, the thought of a possible failure, prevents me from ever reaching the finish line, because I never started. Because I do not want to fail, I never start, isn’t that sad?

I say to my young protégés all the time, that the answer ‘no’ isn’t a death penalty.  Yet it’s hard for me not to take a ‘no’ personally; as a rejection to me and not to a request, which is why I’d make a terrible salesperson.  Every time someone would say, ‘I don’t want what you’re selling’, I probably break down and cry.  Praise the Lord, He called me to teach.   I do think however, saying ‘no’ makes it easier to place the answer ‘no’ in its proper place. Maybe I need to say ‘no’ more often, perhaps the process of accepting the negative will be easier.  What do you think? It’s this how it’s works? When I tell the kids ‘no’ I want them to accept that it’s for their own good, that it’s not being said out of spite (sometimes).  I guess I should take my advice, huh?  If I remember that ‘everything’ which is Every. Single. Thing. ‘is working out for my good’, then isn’t it conceivable that rejection is also for my good?  Because I am fallible, then it’s also plausible that a few (just a few now, let’s not go overboard) of my plans are deemed faulty by the Infallible God. 

‘No’ is a good word.  When it’s accepted, it can lead to provisions, protection, safety, true love, the right college, the perfect home, and so much more.  No is for our good. It’s says, ‘not here’, but ‘there’; not this one, but that one.  ‘No’ isn’t a word, we need to fear; it brings beauty, joy, safety.  Remember, no one does anything to us, without the Lord’s say so.  The Lord allows and He does. He allows our plans to fail at times, because it’s best for us. Failure forces us to our knees, it turns our attention to the Lord.  He brings rejection, but it’s for us to go the other way, because the path we’re on leads to destruction, even if we can’t see it. 

On paper, our plans may look good, but because we cannot see around the corner, we have to trust the ‘no’ when it comes our way.  On paper, in our limited vision, our plans are the best. We’ve dotted the i’s and crossed our ‘t’s’ and it’s perfect.  We have prayed about the plans and have brought it before Lord.  We think we have surrendered,  but somehow, we are still assured that these are the best plans, except perhaps they are not. Except perhaps the Lord has a better way, a better plan and it requires that we let go of these wonderful, perfect plans.  

I am a planner.  I had my life all planned out, even my plans had plans and then I had contingency plans, you know, just in case.  I had plan A and B and C sometimes D also made an appearance.  The Lord allowed some plans to come to fruition, others He totally rejected, much to my disappointment. Along the way, I’ve come to the conclusion, that He is right.  I know right? What a revelation!  But you see, rejection takes a minute to fully process and accept.  Needless to say, the Lord has to rescue me from my plans quite a few times and He continues to do so, even today.   When rejection comes, and it will, let’s say, “thank You, Lord’ and try another path. No is good and NO is for our good, because we serve a God, WHO is GOOD.  No should not be regarded as a personal rejection, the Lord isn’t saying no to you (the individual) but rather to the path or the plans that will inevitably bring hurt and pain.  

Trust Him, especially during the ‘NO’, believe me, growth and maturity starts there. Surrender those plans to Him, start on the path, but watch out for the roadblocks.  You may be required to go another way, to travel another path.  But usually we won’t know what God’s plans are, until we have started on ours.  

What are your plans for the rest of the year? Have you had any setbacks? I’m going to start on the plans, I have made and I will trust the Lord with them. I give Him permission (not that He needs it) to adjust as He sees fit. Will you join me?

Let’s continue the conversation over on Instagram. Follow my Instagram and I will follow back, just let me know in the comment section. I would love to meet you 🙂

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43 responses to “NO!! VERY LOUD AND VERY CLEAR!”

  1. Reblogged this on Peace and Joy and commented:
    This post has reassured me at this time when my daughter’s unexpected illness seems to make our expectations and plans for her university admissions unsure. I am sure that God has His own way of helping her study as required as per His plan for her.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Thanks Brenda. I needed to read your post for reassurance that God’s plans for my daughter’s higher education may not be as per the plans and alternatives charted out by us. I am sure He has better plans for her.

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  5. Sometimes I try to reframe my “no’s”…every no to one thing is a yes to something else. It makes it easier for me to keep my NO, and keep it loud and clear. I’m glad God has said no to me on several things through the years. It would have been a disaster if I had gotten my way on some of the men I thought would make great husbands. ha. Instead I ended up with God’s choice and a wonderful one for me.

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    • 😆😆😆 amen on the Lord’s no to the wrong men; praise the Lord, we listened 😂😂 I’ve always heard saying yes to one thing is saying no to the other. But I like your way best; saying no to one thing means I can say yes to something else. Thank you for this comment

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  7. I too am a planner but through the years the Lord has taught me not to hold too tightly to my plans unless I am certain they are His. A failed plan doesn’t necessarily mean, no, but let’s take it a different direction, or wait and let the Lord work out the details and be willing to follow. Still learning with you. I think it takes a lifetime.

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  8. Excellent post, Brenda, so chock full of wisdom top to bottom! I found it very encouraging, because I’m also a person who “Because I do not want to fail, I never start”, and so far this year I’ve not had any ‘yes’ yet from God or man. But it’s all encouraging me to be better and to serve Him more faithfully.

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  9. “If I remember that ‘everything’ which is Every. Single. Thing. ‘is working out for my good’, then isn’t it conceivable that rejection is also for my good?” – This is so true. He works all things to the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. ALL Things! Praise God because all His ways are right

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    • It’s easy to ‘say’ we trust God, it’s always harder to put into actual practice 🙂 🙂 especially when we really, really, really want ‘that thing’ 🙂 🙂 But still we ask the Lord to help us trust because He knows in our own strength, that would be very difficult to do 🙂

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  13. Amen & Amen! So very true. He’s too good and yes I had experienced a major setback but it was only promoting me for the comeback in Jesus name! It was a very painful season He continues to heal me from and I rejoice in the new now! His ways and thoughts are truly higher than our ways and thoughts. His plans over ours all the time. I just flow with where He directs me, for I know that He is in total control of my life and I see this more, the more I let go from the Driver’s steering wheel. God bless & be encouraged! ❤

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  14. Oh, my. I can think of several times, right off the bat, when God said No. I remember not liking it at the time; but now I have the blessing of looking back and seeing the good and mighty Hand of my Lord working because He loves me. He has drawn my lines in pleasant places (Ps 16.5).

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  15. I try being a sales person years ago and found that I could not handle all the “no’s”. It is hard when someone says no to your suggestion to take it personally. But you are right – no’s can be good. Reflecting back on my life, I am glad that God has told me no a few times. At the time I hated it, but later was so glad He had not given me what I asked for because later I discovered it would not have been for my best. I’m struggling right now with some health issues and so my plan for the next few weeks/months is to get some answers and get better. Looking forward to spring when I hope my husband and I can continue our exploration of our new state, Michigan, which we began last summer.

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  16. Yes, I think from childhood we equate “No” with not getting the desires of our heart, when in fact it really is a good word. Instead of looking at “No” as rejection, we need to see it as a “boundary” word. And sometimes “No” just means not now. Blessings to you Brenda!

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