December 30, 2010 - Acts 16:7

“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Acts 16:7.
Paul and Silas traveled from Antioch heading northwest toward Troas when they came to the border of Mysia. They tried to enter Bithynia but were prohibited by the Spirit of Jesus. So instead of going in to Bithynia, they continued on to Troas, choosing to wait upon entering Bithynia until God opened the way for them. It did not appear that Paul and Silas struggled with God saying, “No” to them. For Paul and Silas, “No” was not a negative answer; it was an answer of guidance.
In the world that I grew up in, “No” was very much a negative answer. I didn’t like being told “No” to any of my personal requests. I did not respond well when given “No” for an answer. I would throw a tantrum or at least would pout … loudly. As I have gotten older, I’ve noticed that I still don’t like hearing “No”, yet I’ve learned how to mask my response. After all, it is not the proper Christian response to pout or to throw a tantrum…is it? When God says “No,” I need to respond out of an attitude of humility, as Paul and Silas did, remembering that God knows best.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when “No” is given to your request? How do you respond when God says “No?”
Prayer: Father, I have struggled my whole life hearing “No” to my requests. Please help me to respond to that answer with a humble attitude. Amen.