A foreign concept? Yes, I realize that. We pretty much want yeses all around. We desire to be accepted, included, allowed, and let in the door. But have you ever stopped and thought about the blessing of no?
Recently I received some news that gave me closure about why I got a no on something I wanted a yes on three years ago. Crazy, I know. And let me tell you, at the time, I was disappointed and let down. I was somewhat confused as well, because if I didn't get that, what was I supposed to do about the unwanted thing I had? It took prayer and wise counsel for me to put that experience in the right perspective. Then three years later, here comes the because for my why. And I am not complaining. I'll take it.
Sometimes I wonder if our dejected reactions to the nos in our lives are too premature. Maybe if we hold on to hope just a little while longer that there's something better on the way, we might see that the no was a good thing. I know it doesn't seem close to possible at the time when we were told no to something we really had our heart set on.
But think about this: If we got what we wanted, would we later find ourselves in a place we don't want to be? If we got what we wanted, would we have grown a necessary attribute in our characters, like patience, compassion, determination, strength to come back stronger after failure, or innovation and ingenuity to make the thing that we didn't want become the thing everybody wants. There are lessons that rejection teaches us that no amount of money can buy.
Have you slowed down to think seriously about what lessons you learned from the nos you've received? What you've been shielded from? What the no freed you up to do instead? The answer no can play a significant role in getting you to where you were created to be. It kind of slims the pickings and tightens focus. It helps you ask yourself, "OK, now what options am I left with?"
So would you join me today and give thanks for some of the nos in your life? You may not see just yet why you were turned down, denied, or rejected. But know there is always tomorrow. Know that you may be in God's protective custody for a minute. You can rebound, as you hold onto to hope that the right yes is on the way!