This week, I was told no. I admit, it didn’t and doesn’t feel good, yet, I know it is necessary. Hearing no communicates to us “You are not good enough.” This, however, is not the truth. We must reprogram how our minds process no, hence, the title of this post: When no means yes. There are times when hearing no is actually giving us a yes in other areas. Hearing no is not all bad. There’s good in it, too.
Hearing no to one thing, is actually saying yes to another. For instance, if you were not selected for a promotion, you are actually receiving a yes to other things: more time with family, more opportunities to develop, continued mastery in your current role, as well as a yes to stability.
Often, we hear no when it relates to change. Though change is necessary and often good for us, there are times when we may not be in the best position for change. Change not only affects us, but it affects everyone connected to us. So, when we’re looking at change, we must keep in mind that it is not just about us- but everyone connected to us.
This is why, as Christians, we trust God and do not attempt to force change. God knows more than we know. He sees all the moving parts, not just some. He sees everything currently in place, as well as factors to come. Our sight and knowledge is extremely limited, and we often desire change based on one thing, when God is considering all the things.
We must trust Him.
Trusting Him will allow us to see the yes’s in the no’s. They are there. We just have to take a step back, humble ourselves, and trust His sovereignty.
Another blessing in hearing no is that we grow in seeing ourselves appropriately. Life has a way of causing us to see ourselves more positively than we ought. You know, thinking no one can do the job better than us. That is wrong. The truth is, someone else can do the job better than us. The truth is, if something happened and we weren’t able to continue our current position, we would be replaced, and life would go on for everyone.
We are not all that we think we are.
This is why it is key to maintain a humble attitude about ourselves. Philippians 2 is an excellent reminder of this. Verse 3 states:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Romans 12:3 encourages us not to think too highly of self:
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Though God has gifted us and blessed us in immeasurable ways, we cannot think too highly of ourselves. As His children, we must work to maintain a humble attitude, depending on Him and trusting Him in all things. This posture will allow us to see when no means yes. It will also allow us to see the lessons in the no for us. They are there.
Lastly, it will allow us to be content where we are, with what we have, knowing that He will move us when He sees fit. Today’s no is not a forever no. It is a no for right now. When we receive a no, we must pull closer to Him, pray for His will to be done in our lives, along with the strength to obey.
In Jesus’ name. Amen!
