Children, especially toddlers, are strong-willed and demanding about what they want. And they want it now! Some of the things they want aren’t good for them. But they don’t know this. So, we tell them, don’t touch that! Put that back! You can’t have it!
You hear little kids bawling in the grocery store. And see them pitch a fit during church service. Because they can’t have their way. And a temper tantrum is their best ploy to pressure parents to cave-in.
My children were no different. Kicking. Flailing and falling to the floor. Screaming like a banshee. They did any and everything to make me say yes.
It’s a fact. Kids become frustrated and infuriated when they don’t get their way. And it’s not unusual for them to get angry and have tantrums. But as parents, we have to impose tough love. And deny some wants.
We must say “No.”
So, it is with God. Sometimes, he tells his children, “No.”
If what we want isn’t his will for us, the answer is “No.” Like kids, we don’t like no as an answer.
First John 5:14 (KJV) says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.”
As believers, we take our wants and supplications to Christ. First John 5:14 states we can be confident that Christ hears our prayers and supplications. But our prayerful requests must be within God’s will.
Why would God grant us something that’s contrary to his will or purpose? Or something that would be a detriment to us? When God says no, we must trust that it is for our good.
Temper tantrums will not work or change God’s will.
We tell our children no. Similarly, God tells us no. But we can be assured that the yeses greatly outnumber the no(s).
Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not to thy own understanding.”
We should make our requests known to God and add “if it is thy (God’s) will.”