Why God Sometimes Tell Us No
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Why God Sometimes Says No
Summer has been hot, and there have already been so many days where the sun is shining and, out my window, I can hear life being lived—families splashing at the pool, friends chatting while walking their dogs, and the squeals of delight from little ones with no time limits on their play.
And I long to be out there with them.
But the truth is—I can’t.
Two and a half weeks ago, I dislocated my knee. The injury was so severe that my kneecap no longer stayed in place. It kept slipping to the side, and to say it was painful is an understatement.
So here I am, two and a half weeks later, sitting with my leg locked straight in a splint, waiting as my ligaments slowly heal.
Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with why God sometimes tells us no.
Here’s how it all ties together:
The No That Wasn't Cruel
This morning, I prayed humbly—asking God to remove the spirit of infirmity from my leg and bring healing. I believed He could do it. I know He can do it.
But the answer I heard in my spirit was clear and loving:
No.
“I need you to go through this experience for a reason.”
And almost immediately, God brought to my mind a scene from The Chosen—the one between Jesus and Little James. If you’ve seen it, you’ll remember how James, who walks with a limp, approaches Jesus with heartfelt sorrow and confusion.
“If You can heal me… why haven’t You?”
Jesus looks at him with such tenderness and says,
“Because I trust you.”
He tells Little James that yes, healing would be a powerful testimony.
But not being healed—and still trusting—would speak even louder. It would become a living example of faith in the waiting, and of the eternal freedom that far outweighs temporary suffering.
Why God Says No
Sometimes, God says no not because He doesn't love us—but because He loves us perfectly.
His “no” is never rejection—it’s redirection.
His “no” isn’t a closed door—it’s a deeper invitation to trust.
When I asked God why He hadn’t healed me, He reminded me of what He had spoken to my heart the day it happened. I won’t share all the details, because they’re deeply personal. But I can tell you this—His “no” had a purpose. It was about more than just my body. It was about what my family needed to learn through this, too.
A No Wrapped in Love
And let me be clear:
It wasn’t a harsh “no.”
It wasn’t cold or punishing.
It was a gentle, peaceful, comforting “no”—one that wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket.
I recognized God’s voice in that moment not because of what He said, but because of the peace that followed.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”
— Isaiah 26:3
Sometimes, God’s no is actually an invitation to walk with Him in deeper trust, greater intimacy, and more eternal perspective than we ever could have imagined.
And so, I wait.
Not in bitterness, but in praise.
Not because it’s easy, but because He is worthy.
And God Has Said No to Many He Has Trusted and Loved
When I went searching for answers in Scripture—asking Why does God sometimes say no, even when our hearts are surrendered?—I discovered something deeply comforting:
God has said no to people He dearly loved.
And every time, it was for a greater purpose.
His "no" was never random. It was never cruel.
It was always a part of something bigger, richer, and more eternal.
Here are five powerful examples that reminded me I’m in good company in the waiting:
1. David wanted to build the temple – God said no
David had a good and holy desire—to build a house for God. But God said no because it wasn’t David’s assignment.
“You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.”
— 1 Chronicles 28:3
🪓 God’s no wasn’t rejection—it was redirection. The temple would be built, just not by David. Sometimes God says no because the task is meant for someone else.
2. Moses wanted to enter the Promised Land – God said no
Moses led faithfully for decades, but after one act of disobedience, God told him he wouldn’t enter Canaan.
“That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.”
— Deuteronomy 3:26
🌄 It sounds harsh, but even in that “no,” God allowed Moses to see the Promised Land and gently gathered him to Himself. God’s no reminded me: Sometimes our journey is about faithfulness, not crossing the finish line.
3. Paul pleaded for healing – God said no
Paul had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” He begged God three times to remove it. But the answer was no.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
💪 God’s no wasn’t failure—it was a gift of grace. In the waiting, Paul learned that weakness isn’t a setback—it’s a place where God’s power is most visible.
4. Jesus asked for the cup to pass – God said no
In Gethsemane, even Jesus—sinless and beloved—asked if there was another way.
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
— Luke 22:42
🩸 This was the hardest “no” in all of history—and yet it brought about the greatest good. God’s no here was a yes to redemption for the world.
5. Paul wanted to go to Asia – God said no
Paul made plans to preach the gospel in Asia, but the Holy Spirit blocked him twice.
“Having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia…”
— Acts 16:6–7
🧭 Paul was confused in the moment, but God was redirecting him to Macedonia—to reach hearts that were already prepared. God’s no was a strategic move in His mission.
You’re Not Alone in the No
When God says no, it's never a sign that He's distant.
It might be the very opposite—
It might mean that He trusts you to carry a testimony that can only be birthed in surrender.
His no isn’t the end of the story.
Sometimes, it’s the beginning of a deeper kind of yes—one we don’t yet have eyes to see.
Many have asked how I’m not going crazy being stuck inside during the fleeting, golden days of summer—and how I can sit in this season without growing grumpy or bitter.
The answer is simple:
I’ve gotten to spend more time with Jesus.
And these are the summer memories I’ll cherish most deeply.
I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
So if you find yourself in a season where God is saying no, I hope and pray that you don’t see it as rejection or rebuke.
See it as an invitation—an open door to go deeper in trust, surrender, and intimacy with Him.
Because the God who meets you where you are
is the same God who will bring you to a place better than you ever dreamed possible.
