No. It’s the answer
no one wants to hear.
“Mom, can I have some
ice cream?” “No!”
“Dad, can I have
$20?” “No!”
“Did I get the
job?” “No!”
“Did I win the
lottery?” “No!”
When we hear “no,” we usually feel like someone is stealing
our fun or crushing our dreams.
But “no” isn’t always a bad answer.
“Mom, can I play in
the street?” “No!”
“Dad, can I run that
red light?” “No!”
Sometimes, “no” is the best answer.
“No” can protect us from harm. It stops us from wandering into danger. It keeps us from hurting ourselves or
others. It provides the guardrails that
keep us from careening off the highway.
It prevents us from taking a wrong turn.
We don’t like to be told “no.” We feel like “no” closes the door on our
dreams. But, what if “no” really just serves to point us in a better
direction?
“Mom, can I play in
the street?” “No – but you CAN invite
your friends over to play in the backyard.”
What if “no” opens
the door for us to learn and grow?
“Dad, can I have $20?” “No – but I’ll help you look for ways to earn
$20 so that you can learn the value of work and money.”
What if “no” invites
you to stop and reflect on your motivations?
“Did I win the
lottery?” “No. Why was that so important to you? What was driving you to pursue that
goal? Maybe it’s time to adjust your
attitude.”
What if “no” doesn’t
just shut one door but opens another one?
“Did I get the
job?” “No. There is more that needs to be done where you
are. There are other, better
opportunities out there that you need to pursue. There are other priorities that you need to
focus on right now.”
We don’t like to be told “no.” But, sometimes, “no” is the best answer. It’s the right answer. It’s the answer that will keep you moving safely
in the right direction. It’s the answer
given by a loving Father who can see further into the future than you can and
who knows what’s best for his children.
So, the next time you hear “no,” don’t get mad or sad or
rebellious. Just, stop for a minute and ask yourself what the “no” is there for – and,
you’ll probably see that “no” isn’t such a bad answer after all.
