No... because I love you.

Sometimes God says no because what we're asking for is stupid or would hurt us.
"Can I touch the fire?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because He has something better for us.
"Can I have some dirt for dinner?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because He has things for us to learn or He would get more glory from it, or others would come to know Him because of it.
"Can I live in a cave and never speak to anyone?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because it's not time yet or something isn't finished yet, and it will be later.
"Can I eat this uncooked hamburger?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because something else will fit better than what we're asking for.
"Can I move to China and be a ballerina there?" "No." "Can I marry Zach Effron?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because what we're asking for is sinful or wrong.
"Can you help me rob this bank?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because it's not about you, it's about someone else and God knows what's best for them too.
"Can you help my friend win the lottery?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because what we're asking for is selfish.
"Can I have more money so I can go on more vacations instead of giving it to the church or missions?" "No."

Sometimes God says no because we are suffering from consequences that WE messed up on, and He doesn't just fix everything every time we mess up.
"Can you get rid of this DUI I just got and make the police somehow lose my record?" "No."

And sometimes....maybe a lot of the times... God says no because He has a plan or a reason that we don't understand. Maybe we'll see the reason later in life, or maybe we won't know until heaven. He might say no to something that is reasonable, unselfish, and would bring Him glory, but He has different plans. It's not that He is unable, because with God nothing is impossible, and sometimes He says yes.
"Can I go on this mission trip?" "No." "Can you heal my friend and let her live?" "No." "Can you stop the tornado from killing people?" "No." "Can you tell me what my career path should be so that I can best tell others about you and glorify you?" "No."

Sometimes it seems like all God says is no. And we pitch fits, we cry, we get mad, we hurt, we doubt, we question.... not realizing that those "no's" are out of love. So turn around and look at all that God has said yes to, but also look at what He said no to that you're SO THANKFUL FOR now!!

When I was younger I wanted to work at a bookstore. When I was 17 I applied to Books-A-Million, the closest bookstore to my house, and didn't get it. Every time I changed jobs I applied there. I was so mad that I couldn't work there! When I finally got a job at Lifeway Christian Bookstore, it was not the "dream job" that I thought it'd be. There were still difficult people to deal with - both people I worked with and customers, as with all jobs! There were still unpleasant tasks and frustrating days. A year and a half ago when I was job hunting once again, I finally got an interview with BAM, and I thought since I had previous experience in a bookstore that they would for sure hire me. I got an interview, and after the lady asked me questions, I asked her questions. Come to find out, they got their pay rises depending on how well they sold magazine subscriptions (which it seems like nobody buys), there was only 2 people working at once generally (so people had to wait forever and nothing could get done), and many other things that I knew I would hate. I turned down the job. Even when I go there now, I love going in there and getting books and stuff, but watching the workers and how stressful it looks, I am so glad I didn't get a job there. God knew.

So many other situations have happened like that. So in the midst of sitting in a cloud, feeling directionless and hearing all no's, I know that God is still there. I know He still has everything under control. Praise the Lord.