How do you know when God is saying No?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#1
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#1
What do you do when it appears everything you do to meet like minded people seems to fail. I almost feel like God is blocking me. Presently I am asking God to redirect my life to other things so I don't have time to think about my present status because I will be more consumed with doing the work of God, but as yet I have been given no direction so I am at a cross road as to what to do next other than staying in the word.
 
ChristisCreator

ChristisCreator

Member
#2
Nov 18, 2018
88
56
18
#2
Proverbs 20:22 "...wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee". He can delay to help teach us patience and faith.
James 5:16 "...the effectual feverent prayers of a righteous man availeth much."
 
1christian1

1christian1

Banned
#3
Sep 13, 2018
2,587
885
113
#3
SDivine said:
What do you do when it appears everything you do to meet like minded people seems to fail. I almost feel like God is blocking me. Presently I am asking God to redirect my life to other things so I don't have time to think about my present status because I will be more consumed with doing the work of God, but as yet I have been given no direction so I am at a cross road as to what to do next other than staying in the word.
Click to expand...
Hey Divine, Sounds to me that you are asking God to direct your will and not His... I know that it is frustrating for you but be patient, It will come...
 
H

Hungry

Banned
#4
Nov 26, 2012
3,095
1,050
113
#4
Sometimes reading what God has told others is not applicable with what He’s telling you. Spending time in prayer and meditation, before breakfast will give you more insight and direction than you can imagine.
 
cinder

cinder

Senior Member
#5
Mar 26, 2014
4,426
2,416
113
#5
SDivine said:
What do you do when it appears everything you do to meet like minded people seems to fail. I almost feel like God is blocking me. Presently I am asking God to redirect my life to other things so I don't have time to think about my present status because I will be more consumed with doing the work of God, but as yet I have been given no direction so I am at a cross road as to what to do next other than staying in the word.
Click to expand...
Is meeting like minded people code for trying to find friends or a boyfriend / potential mate? You keep trying. You show up to things alone because you want to do them. You live your life. And you learn to trust that if things don't work out in this instance or if God is saying no about that, then God still has things under control and he's looking out for you and has a place to match you up with ( it may not look or be like anything you were expecting so keep your eyes open for the yeses and not just the no's). And you remember than your status, situation, circumstances, etc do not define you and are all just tiny little pieces of everything that makes you you.
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#6
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#6
1christian1 said:
Hey Divine, Sounds to me that you are asking God to direct your will and not His... I know that it is frustrating for you but be patient, It will come...
Click to expand...
I realize this may be me seeking my will and not His, but the thing is I sometimes in my waiting feel like God is either ignoring me (which I rationally know is not true, but during an occasional pity party rational thought goes out the window) or He saying no to my prayer request. Which is why chat with other Christians re enforces my resolve.
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#7
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#7
ChristisCreator said:
Proverbs 20:22 "...wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee". He can delay to help teach us patience and faith.
James 5:16 "...the effectual feverent prayers of a righteous man availeth much."
Click to expand...
Thank you. I need the reminder when I am having a rough day.
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#8
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#8
Hungry said:
Sometimes reading what God has told others is not applicable with what He’s telling you. Spending time in prayer and meditation, before breakfast will give you more insight and direction than you can imagine.
Click to expand...
I start my day with reading the word and prayer. Often times God wakes me at 5am. I tried to spend time in meditation with the Lord every afternoon sitting in my car near the water basking in the wonders that are part of God's amazing creation. I truly appreciate your words of encouragement.
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#9
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#9
cinder said:
Is meeting like minded people code for trying to find friends or a boyfriend / potential mate? You keep trying. You show up to things alone because you want to do them. You live your life. And you learn to trust that if things don't work out in this instance or if God is saying no about that, then God still has things under control and he's looking out for you and has a place to match you up with ( it may not look or be like anything you were expecting so keep your eyes open for the yeses and not just the no's). And you remember than your status, situation, circumstances, etc do not define you and are all just tiny little pieces of everything that makes you you.
Click to expand...
In all honesty, while I would love to find a Christian mate that sees me as God sees me, I am at a point in my life that I feel I need to develop a better loving, trusting relationship with God. I am just trying to figure out what He wants me to do. I am so open to His direction but I am not feeling like He's pulling me towards any thing which then leads me to feeling like I've disappointed Him. Don't get me wrong, I know I am blessed and He has seen me through so many things and I am grateful, but I am lonely and I hate the way it makes me feel. I want to direct my energy into pleasing God and not myself.
 
Solemateleft

Solemateleft

Honor, Courage, Commitment
#10
Jun 25, 2017
13,794
4,003
113
#10
SDivine said:
What do you do when it appears everything you do to meet like minded people seems to fail. I almost feel like God is blocking me. Presently I am asking God to redirect my life to other things so I don't have time to think about my present status because I will be more consumed with doing the work of God, but as yet I have been given no direction so I am at a cross road as to what to do next other than staying in the word.
Click to expand...
Welcome SDivine,
I suspect that there are many of us here in CC that can absolutely relate to the scenario that you are describing...
I can only reinforce complete agreement with cinder's response...
If you are seeking like minded christian friendships - you are certain to find several here in cc... Also, consider joining select groups/activities at your local church. You might consider a genuine self-reflection of your personal interests and if you do not have any - consider exploring hobbies that you would earnestly enjoy for yourself... Consider meetups along your select interests/hobbies.

Now if you are emotionally lonely and in search of a relationship - some of the best advice/lessons learned that I have gleaned from my fellow CC friends - is that if you are 'trying too hard' to meet someone - that maybe it is best to allow our lord to take the helm... Try not to try so hard... Find things that you can do to make yourself happy and trust in the lord that he will answer your prayers...

Here is a song that a good CC friend shared with me when I needed it most... Trust in our lord, and I pray that he blesses you along your journey... Find strength and patience via your trust and faith in HIM...
God Bless
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#11
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#11
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song. Having some many people sharing words of encouragement and inspiration helps me through my moments. I appreciate you all.
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#12
Jun 30, 2015
25,414
13,761
113
#12
In answer to the title question, I know God is saying "No" when He says "No".

What... y'all don't hear Him? ;)

Slightly more seriously, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. God has this "timing" thing down pretty well. May I suggest putting your specific request(s) before Him, surrendering them to His good will (that part is important), and if He isn't giving you direction to other things, take up a hobby or something like that. If you aren't volunteering, that's a good way to keep your mind busy. Learn an instrument, rebuild a car, walk the neighbour's dog...

Just don't get hooked on Christian Chat, whatever you do. :cool:
 
SDivine

SDivine

Junior Member
#13
Oct 10, 2015
9
11
3
#13
Dino246 said:
In answer to the title question, I know God is saying "No" when He says "No".

What... y'all don't hear Him? ;)

Slightly more seriously, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. God has this "timing" thing down pretty well. May I suggest putting your specific request(s) before Him, surrendering them to His good will (that part is important), and if He isn't giving you direction to other things, take up a hobby or something like that. If you aren't volunteering, that's a good way to keep your mind busy. Learn an instrument, rebuild a car, walk the neighbour's dog...

Just don't get hooked on Christian Chat, whatever you do. :cool:
Click to expand...
First I appreciate your sense of humor. Second, I am involved with my church as part of our Mass Choir, preparing to hand out toys and food for Christmas, I visit the sick and shut in of family and friends. But maybe I will consider rebuilding a few cars in between walking a neighbor's dog as well, lol. Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated and I don't plan to get hooked on Christian Chat, lol
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
#14
Nov 4, 2014
6,693
7,176
113
#14
Well perhaps his blocking is His protecting. I think we need to stay the course and keep extending selfless love and mercy, all for His Glory. He tells us what His will is for our lives. To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the Lord. I think if we go left or right, He'll say here is the way. I think that He will open doors meant open and close those meant shut. I respect and encourage your desire to follow Him. I am interested. Keep us posted.
 
Demi777

Demi777

Senior Member
#15
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#15
Daniel waited 21 days fasting until he got an answer.
God never fails, just his timing is not always ours
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#16
Aug 2, 2009
24,644
4,305
113
#16
SDivine said:
What do you do when it appears everything you do to meet like minded people seems to fail. I almost feel like God is blocking me. Presently I am asking God to redirect my life to other things so I don't have time to think about my present status because I will be more consumed with doing the work of God, but as yet I have been given no direction so I am at a cross road as to what to do next other than staying in the word.
Click to expand...
I am in the same boat as you. The preachers say keep waiting, keep hoping, keep believing, but it doesn't seem to work. And what's worse is those times when it seems like it's finally happening and then it all comes crashing down and I find myself back where I started.

And in my case it has absolutely nothing to do with finding love.
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#17
Aug 13, 2014
27,283
9,333
113
#17
SDivine said:
In all honesty, while I would love to find a Christian mate that sees me as God sees me, I am at a point in my life that I feel I need to develop a better loving, trusting relationship with God. I am just trying to figure out what He wants me to do. I am so open to His direction but I am not feeling like He's pulling me towards any thing which then leads me to feeling like I've disappointed Him. Don't get me wrong, I know I am blessed and He has seen me through so many things and I am grateful, but I am lonely and I hate the way it makes me feel. I want to direct my energy into pleasing God and not myself.
Click to expand...
If God is not telling you to do anything, it doesn't mean he has left you alone. It means you should not change anything right now.

If you want really frustrating, try going on a 21-day fast looking for direction... And at the end of it God says, "Wait." Now that is frustrating!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.