It’s week #5 of the Countdown to #1 Blog Post Series.

In case you’ve missed the first four – you can check them out here:

12 Things You Need to Know About God that Will Make You Humble

The Best Ways to Teach Your Child Humble Confidence

25 of the Best Ways to Love Yourself the Way God Wants

7 of the Best Verses to Inspire Your Worship of God

Here’s the 4th most popular post here at CMB…

How to Trust God’s NO When You are Suffering

What are you supposed to do when you feel like God is the One who allowed your broken heart?

It’s your heart’s desire.

And the Bible says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4

But for reasons beyond your ability to understand . . . God said ‘no!’

You’ve been good. You’ve tried to obey His commands. Maybe you’ve even dedicated your life to serving Him in ministry. But He still says ‘no.’

And one thought keeps repeating . . . it’s not fair!

So you pray pleading prays over and over again.

You may even find yourself whining and complaining like a child trying to get a parent to soften and give in.

But nothing changes…

You’re still waiting. You’re still sick. Still single. Still longing for a child, a job, a home, a _________.

And then like salt in a wound, everywhere you look, people who don’t even seem appreciative, have that something your heart aches for and you find yourself giving in to jealousy, tantrums, and self-pity.

This may sound familiar.

I’m ashamed to say, it’s my story.

I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it and God’s ‘no’ was simply unacceptable. I refused to trust that God had a better plan for me. And without giving you all the ugly details, I’ll tell you I learned a big lesson the hard way.

And by God’s grace, I’ve since learned a better way to trust God’s “no” even when you don’t want to.

5 Ways to Trust God’s NO 

1. You can trust God’s NO because EVERYthing God allows is filtered through His love.

Love is God’s character and He cannot do anything that is outside of who He is. He always knows and does what is best for your eternal future even though it may not feel like it at the time.

“Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives, but in understanding His character, in trusting in His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

2. You can trust God’s NO because His goodness covers EVERYthing He allows.

God is good! Everything He does is good! You and I live in a sinful broken world and often have to live the consequences of that basic fact. But God is always at work for our good in ways that will give Him glory.

All He does is just and good, and all His commandments are trustworthy. Psalm 111:17

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28

3. You can trust God’s NO because He sees the beginning from the end and He may be saying “no” to protect you. 

You and I make God too small. He is everlasting. He knows your past and your future. He knows the lives you will touch and knows how best to bless you keeping your eternal future in mind.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 2 Peter 3:8

4. You can trust God’s NO while you do what you can and leave the rest to Him.

Get up and focus on what you can to do today. Occupy your mind with what you have not what’s lacking. Live today embracing God’s plans and purposes which always include love . . . very big love.

“Harness the power of today. Seize the blessings of today! Make something happen, enhance your life, make someone laugh, help a friend, love, love, love!”  ~Steve Maraboli

5. You can trust God’s NO as you lean deep into His love through prayer and study of His Word.

Turn to Him! Rest in His love for you. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Read His Word and hold His promises close. Lean in and trust, trust, trust.

The Lord also keeps safe those who suffer. He is a safe place in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, O Lord, have never left alone those who look for You. Psalm 9:9–10 (NLV)

“I won’t tell you it will be easy. It won’t.”

Walking through a valley of grief and heartache is an arduous journey but it is not one we have to take alone.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Psalm 23:4

Satan will consistently use your pain, your broken heart to tempt you to doubt God’s love, give up, and take care of things on your own.

Martin Luther said that his tactics have never changed … the lie is still the same as it was in the Garden…

“The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands” ~Martin Luther

I have learned the hard way – that God’s ways are best. I’ve lived out the consequences of falling for the enemy’s lies, and I’ve come to believe with all my heart that God’s grace saturates everything He allows and His protecting hand of mercy surrounds anything He denies.

This isn’t fatalism.

It’s faith!

Whatever you are facing today, remember…

God will walk with you through this valley. You can trust His goodness and love … He has proven just how much through His Son, Jesus. You are not alone!

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart
~Babbie Mason, Trust His Heart

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

Maintaining Joy and Patience in Affliction

by Chizobam Idahosa
@ Beautiful in Jesus

 

Father’s Day Hope for Daddyless Daughters

by Pam Blosser
@ Journey to Him

 

When We Need to Believe in a Greater Purpose

by Crystal Twaddell
@ Cultivating a Life of Intention and a Legacy of Hope

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

Deb Wolf
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No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
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Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship! 

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and pray over the list left by our friends.

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Have you visited the Faith ‘n Friends Link Party Board on Pinterest? It’s a great place to catch up with past posts you may have missed here at the party and/or save them for a future read! If you’d like to become a contributor to my Pinterest Group Boards – email me at deb@debwolf.com with a link to your Pinterest home page.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thank you and God bless!