How to Handle ‘NO’

You are my friends if you do what I command. 

John 15:14(NIV)

I didn’t pray for a lady today.

But God asked me to.

Actually, to be clear, God asked me to ask if I could pray for her.

As my heart began racing and all the little reasons why I shouldn’t flooded in, I asked God what He wanted me to say.

The answer surprised me. I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Don’t worry about that. She’s going to say no.”

Uhhh, that’s not exactly how this works. I thought to myself. I’m getting really mixed signals from the Almighty here.

But as I had almost talked myself out of it, I remembered the prayer that has been on repeat in my life lately: I want what You want. I think what You think. And I do what You ask me to do.

So with butterflies buzzing, palms shaking, and heart thumping I told the thoughts of fear to shut up, I was doing it anyway.

I approached her and said, “Hi, I overheard your conversation about you being sick. Do you mind if I prayed with you?”

Her response came as expected, “Actually sweetie, I do mind. But thank you.” And she walked away.

She’d been sick for many years now. I’m sure a lot of people have tried to pray with her. Maybe she even let a few. Maybe she didn’t know Jesus. Maybe she was embarrassed.

The thing is, whatever her reason was for turning me down was- God knew it. And told me to offer anyway.

That fact gave me loads of revelation that I’d like to share.

1. Do it scared

I didn’t wait until I wasn’t nervous to step out on what God asked of me. Maybe it’ll get easier the more I do, but as for today- I was scared. But fear didn’t get to make a decision for me. I decided earlier that day I was going to follow Jesus wherever He lead me. Because too many times I’ve missed it. I didn’t do it scared. I let the fear win, and felt so disappointed afterwards. Thankfully, God doesn’t stop working on us when we miss it.

2. It doesn’t have to make sense

God has really been dealing with me lately about not trying to explain His anointing. I don’t have to justify it to anyone. I don’t owe anyone an explanation for my relationship with Christ. And when He gives you instructions, even if they don’t make sense- do it anyway. Don’t add your own spin on it. Don’t try to make it your own because His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. Just trust that He knows what He’s doing.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9(NIV)

3. You’re not responsible for God’s job

I believe God had a miracle for that woman. I believe healing would have come to her if she would have allowed me to lay hands on her and pray.

But here’s the deal: healing is not my job. Isaiah 53:5 says that by His stripes, we are healed. The healing is in the blood of Jesus. All that is required of me is that I believe that.

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18(NIV)

The healing work is not my responsibility. But it is my responsibility to step out, and pray, and lay hands on the sick. I’m just the messenger, the vessel.

As far as my job is concerned- I completed it. I did what God asked me to do. He is just as pleased with me as if the woman would have received a miracle. I did the work of Christ. Even if it didn’t look like much.

Take the pressure off of performing the work of God. You are not God. You just need to believe in Him, and obey. That’s all. Isn’t it freeing to know you are allowed to just be human?!

4. Don’t be afraid of NO

Plenty of people told Jesus no. Some people are going to think that you serving Jesus is awesome, and something to be admired. And others, I dare say most, are going to mock you for it. If you’re afraid of rejection- let that go.

Man’s opinion of you changes absolutely nothing. God’s opinion of you changes everything. Please Him.

Get comfortable with people turning you down. It’s going to happen. Jesus had to leave His own home town because people were rejecting Him.

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4-6

Just because you get a ‘no’ doesn’t mean you failed.

5. I prayed anyway

She said no. I didn’t pray with her. I didn’t lay hands on her, and I didn’t pray for her healing. But in my alone time with God, I prayed for her heart. I prayed that whatever is hardened in her will turn back to Jesus. I prayed that the seed planted today will be watered into something eternal. I still brought her up in the presence of the Almighty. She crossed my path, and I want that to mean something.

I encourage you today, to do the things God asks of you. Even if they don’t make sense. Even if they’re scary. Even if it’s embarrassing. Even when man tells you no.

Do something eternal today.

6. I’d rather hear a ‘no’ from man, than say a ‘no’ to God.

Give God your yes.

Be Blessed!