Do you give thanks to the Lord for closing a door in your life?

Or do you ever ask Him to prevent you from having a super cool opportunity?

He knows best. And His plan is perfect.

Many people say that, but do they really believe it?

I had a really neat (rare) opportunity pop up (with very little lead time) that forced me to pray. Prayer for wisdom. Prayer for discernment. Prayer for a calm nervous system and sharp brain and constant, friendly smile.

But I also prayed for the Lord to be glorified in the yes or the no. And specifically, if He wanted this to work positively, to make me desirable in this particular circumstance.

This was one of the first times in awhile (to my shame) that I remember praying for the opposite with equal fervor, however.

Lord, don’t give this to me if it will cause me to stumble or forget You or disregard my priorities or become full of myself or lose sight of my life’s purpose or steal from someone else’s needs. Please be glorified in the no. I still want to excel, but make someone else more desirable and successful.

That’s sort of a hard thing to ask, in a human sense. But to ask it in full faith and confidence…it brought me ABUNDANT peace. That sounds like something directly from God’s perfect and true Word, right?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

It isn’t always easy being told no, but actually giving everything up to the Lord, as a slave should, truly does bring ample peace and rest to one’s soul.