So often in the body of Christ we get caught up in God being the ATM of all ATMs. “Ask and you shall receive” is what we learn and soon decide that is a great idea. Let me be honest in saying I sometimes pray that way, and maybe just maybe so do you if you are really honest about it.

And in the desire to give you full disclosure, I don’t always do “well” with no especially when it affects my finances. A little over a year ago, I became ill. I was so sick that I ended up losing my business. And that was on top of our home being destroyed. The good news is that the sickness was the result of environmental issues and solved by moving. The loss of income not so easily repaired. So, when my wife lost her job of nearly 12 years, things became a little more “difficult.”I did what I believe anyone in my position would do. After lifting my petitions to the Lord, I began to review our situation. I looked at the finances. Many of my friends have been there. How much money do we have? How long will it last? What do we need to cut back on?

Panic was not on my radar screen. Just simple “staying close” to the Lord and making sure that I can hear what He is saying. When you understand that our labor is to be in His rest, you recognize that urgency no longer is necessary. “He’s got it.”

Yesterday my friend Scott shared at our fellowship. He spoke of how one aspect of maturity was getting over hearing “no”. He underscored it with “especially” when it was God who was talking.  I chuckled a little.

But honestly, sometimes it is not all that “funny.”

About a month ago, following my wife’s job loss, I thought “let me talk to God about this.” I went in and took a shower and was praying. “God, I need a job. I will do anything.”  I heard as clear as a bell, “I am restraining you.” I was dumbfounded and stopped praying.

A little bit later I told my wife, with the caveat, ‘it does not mean I am not going to keep trying to get a job.” I was shocked.  I really struggled with it. “Surely He cannot be talking about getting a job.” So I continued the arduous task of finding a job.

I average 3-5 hours per day sending out resumes, applying on line, contacting potential employers. I do what some might call “due diligence.” I work relationships, use social media and do all that I know how to do. I send resumes to companies not even hiring in order to leave no stone unturned.

I have done a few interviews. I have been told I am “too old”, over qualified and not the right mix. I have done one interview where they contacted me less than 24 hours prior only to tell me when I got there, they “filled” the position but did I want “to go through the interview process”.

So while difficult, each “no” about a job did not freak me out it was a little disconcerting.

Finally last week I hit pay dirt, I arranged with an old friend to go back into the sales field. I immediately jumped and started contacting clients left in right. The first day was a great day. Each day I got more excited.

Today I received a letter from him saying that he was not going to be able to publish because so many had not paid.

I would be lying when I say it did not hit hard. I worked to be positive, trying to think things through. And then I remembered the shower encounter. The rest of the day has not been so very easy.

“God? Why the no? Are you really saying no about getting a job.”

Honestly, I am not sure. I have come to simply believe He has something greater for me. I have an application I am working on with a company and maybe it’s my “cash cow.” But between here and there, I am back to sending out resumes and still applying.

So what do you do when God says “no”? You can choose to be upset, get depressed and throw a tantrum. Experience tells me that does not work very well.

I talk a lot about everyone having one calling, on job, one thing to do. I speak a lot about speaking things into existence.

I know God always has an answer. I have seen His hand move many, many times. I know that sometimes He says “no” to His children. (Just like I did.) God always has a purpose in what He is doing and how He is doing.

It does change His purpose in our lives. It does not mean His hand could not move, if He wanted to.  And it does not mean He changed His mind about us. He loves us.

I will pray any harder thinking I can catch His attention. He is still my Dad!