Persevere Through the “No’s” to Your “YES”

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: James 1:12 (ESV)

Today, I am thinking about how closed doors will always precede our open doors.

The other day I was in the hair salon, and I noticed a lady distributing a book that she had recently published. She happened to be sitting under the dryer next to me so, as a fellow author, I asked her a few questions about the book and her journey to publication.

When I first turned her book over to read the description, I also noticed that the book was published by a major publisher. I brought this up in our conversation, and she shared that she had shopped her manuscript to multiple agencies and was told “no” thirteen times before she offered her a deal.

I thought about her story and realized it was a common one of perseverance. What I noticed and appreciated though, was that there always seems to be a pattern of “no” proceeding our “yes.”

Turning to the Scriptures, I think about Hannah who was barren, yet prayed constantly for a child. For years, Hannah’s prayers went unanswered. She persisted, though. 

One day she was in the temple crying profusely, begging God for a child. She was so distraught and worked up that one of the priests actually thought she was drunk.

Even though Hannah had heard “no” for years, when she finally heard “yes” it was a resounding “yes.” Hannah ended up with not only one child, but five. One of her sons even became the first prophet of Israel!

Let us cling to these words the next time we need to persevere through our “no’s” to get to our “yes”: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (ESV)

Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.

So today, embrace your next “no” knowing that you’re one step closer to “yes.”