The Power of "NO"

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.