When God Says No

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When God Says "No": Facing Disappointment and Denial without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head by Elizabeth Laing Thompson -  There is a whole lot of wisdom and practical teaching packed into this little study book. Thompson chooses eleven examples from the Bible of times when God's answer to a prayer was "no" and unpacks the lessons to learn from each. God would not allow Moses to enter the promised land; God disciplined Adam and Eve, and Cain; he would not take away Paul's 'thorn in the flesh'; and he even said "no" when Jesus prayed for another way besides the cross. In these and the other examples, we can find emotions and reactions so similar to what we feel when we don't get the job, when we are bitterly disappointed, or when the news from the doctor isn't good.

Each chapter begins with an imaginative retelling of the Bible story referenced. Then in the rest of the chapter, Thompson provides further insight into the story and solid teaching about what we can learn and what we can apply in our lives. Will we acknowledge our limitations and be humble, like Naaman? Will we be persistent in prayer and petition, like Abraham? Will we accept a "no" we don't understand and allow God to work things out in his way, like David? Other Biblical stories and references are woven into the chapters, along with personal stories from the author's life. At the end of each chapter are suggestions for deeper Bible study, a prayer prompt from Scripture, and a couple of journal prompts. 

I was especially touched by the story and lesson from the life of David. After King David had been inspired to create detailed plans for the temple he wished to build for the Lord, God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David that he would not be the one the build the temple. The answer was a firm "no". Although the blow was probably softened by the assurance that God was pleased with the king, and that his son Solomon would carry out the work according to David's plan, it must still have been a bitter disappointment. Bittersweet, perhaps, to realize that a great work he'd dreamed about and planned for would not be his to do. And that he wouldn't be alive to see it. Seeing our hopes pass us by and having to turn over the reins to someone else can be very hard, even when it's someone we love. What a comforting look into the Scripture, and into God's heart, and see that he knows our mixed emotions and understands.

From the publisher:

No is not a four-letter word, but it certainly feels like one.

It's one thing to feel God's love when life goes your way, but what happens to your faith when life doesn't go as you had planned?

When prayers go unanswered and dreams unfulfilled?

When the sick stay sick and the dead do not rise?

When you're lost in the desert and the Promised Land seems like empty promise?

When God says, "No," how do you grapple with disappointment?

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson walks alongside readers as she tackles the difficulties that stymie our faith, stifle our prayers, and stunt our relationship with God. When God Says, "No" will help you to discover hope when life feels hopeless, good in what feels bad, and new dreams when old ones have died. This book is a fantastic reminder of Who is in charge - Who He is and how He works. How He loves us and why He limits us. The better we know Him the more we understand that He says "no" to a few things, so He might say "Yes" to many more.

By the same author: When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal; When God Says Go

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

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