When God Says No

There was recently a house we found for sale. The second we saw the listing, we booked a viewing and put in an application. It was everything we had been looking for: the perfect location, beautiful gardens, and the perfect investment. We knew it would be a high-demand property with multiple applications, so once we submitted ours, the only thing left to do was pray. We waited patiently to hear back from the agent, and after a week of praying and waiting, we were told that our application had not been successful. My first reaction was confusion. Why didn't God answer our prayers? Then I read this verse: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV). It reminded me that God's goodness isn't measured by whether we get what we want, but by knowing He is always working for our good, even when we can't see it yet. Sometimes His "no" is simply making way for something even better. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV). (Hannah B). Open Bible – bit.ly/1Th5v18, bit.ly/Rom8vs28