When God says "No"

My dad very rarely says "no" to my requests, but when he does it's because he has a reason behind his "nos."

I remember asking for a Playstation when I was in school only to have him say, "no." My reason for wanting one was because most of my guy friends had one.

The fact I would have been bored of it within a month, or the fact I have very little interest in video games (apart from the odd car racing or fighting game) was lost on me.

I was disgruntled when my dad objected to me buying a Playstation. After all, it was not like he had to buy it for me. I could have worked part-time and saved my money to get it myself.

Unfortunately, my dad was right and within two months I had forgotten I wanted a Playstation in the first place. I had turned my attention to another new, shiny object— it was definitely not a game console.

When I graduated university, I wanted to take a gap year overseas like most of my friends. I completed my degree at the height of the 2008 recession and I wasn't exactly floating in cash.

I thought a gap year overseas would be an excellent idea since I was still young and had no financial concerns. But Dad thought otherwise.

While going overseas was definitely encouraged, jobs are scarce in an economic downturn, so it was probably best for me to knuckle down and job hunt as much as possible. After all, it was not like I couldn't take leave to go overseas once I'd secured a stable job.

I was less than excited about following Dad's advice, but it turned out to be a good thing, because it was in that same year of 2008 that I was offered my journalism scholarship.

Of course, I know of friends who did their gap year and have successfully gone on to find jobs.

And while I don't always agree with my dad, I have over the years found that his advice is, more often than not, wise. This got me thinking about the times I have asked God to grant me my prayers, only to have Him say, "No."

For Our Own Good

I find myself annoyed at God for saying "no" to my prayer requests. Sometimes it can be particularly hard on my spirit when He closes door after door, despite endless prayers and intercessions.

I remember praying for a part-time job with a children's clothes shop when I was at university. I was desperate for cash, and thought a part-time position would be awesome— lots of cute clothes and cuddly toys, what more could I ask for?

Naturally, when they rejected my application, I was super upset with God. In hindsight, I would have been absolutely miserable in that job. I am awkward around children, especially young toddlers, and I wouldn't know how to calm a crying child.

Yet, at that point, I felt like God had ripped the carpet from under my feet. But boy, am I glad He said "no."

God has said many "nos" to my other prayer requests since then, ranging from "O God, please get me that date with that boy," to "Dear God, I really want this full-time job," to everything else in-between.

But what I have learned is this: while the Bible says His promises are "yes and amen" (2 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 20), it doesn't necessarily mean God is obliged to answer all my petitions with "yes and amen."

You probably might be in the midst of going through your prayer list, with hopes God will say "yes" to all of them. But even if He doesn't answer them all, know that God will always have something better in store for you.

Michele Ong is a former regional news journalist with a passion to be a voice for the marginalised and disenfranchised. Writing is as essential to her as breathing, and she believes words contain life which is to be used to inspire, inform, and influence readers. Michele attends Auckland's City Impact Church with her family on the North Shore.

Michele Ong's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michele-ong.html