Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. - 2 Corinthians 12:8

One night during a thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her young son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" The mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't, Dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room." After a brief pause, the boy replied, "The big sissy!"

Let's look beyond the humor of that story for a moment and think about the child's reaction. His fearful plea was understandable. Yet his mother wanted him to learn to trust her even when she wasn't by his side. She loved him, but he misunderstood, for he couldn't see beyond his own fears.

That's the way we often respond to God. We ask for something specific, but He seems to say, "No, I won't do that." Rather than accepting it in faith, we misinterpret His ultimate intention - that we will learn to live through periods of darkness, trusting His Word and not some special sign. Like the apostle Paul, we must realize that we are secure in the promise of His provision, without demanding something more (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will learn that the best answer to some of our prayers is His gracious no.

-DJD

God does not always answer yes
To every prayer I pray;
Sometimes He answers, "No, My child,
I have a better way."

-Sherbert

When God says no to our request, we can be sure it's for the best.