When God Says "No" by Elizabeth Laing Thompson Summary
Overview of When God Says "No"
When God says "no," how do you keep faith alive? Elizabeth Laing Thompson's spiritual guide, featured on "The Love Offering" podcast, helps Christians navigate disappointment without losing hope. Part of her acclaimed series addressing life's toughest spiritual challenges.
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Key takeaways
When the Answer You Desperately Need Is "No"
What do you do when the God you've trusted with everything denies you the one thing you need most? Not with silence, but with a clear, unmistakable "no"? This question haunts the quiet moments of faith-when the pregnancy test stays negative month after month, when the diagnosis comes back terminal, when the relationship you prayed over crumbles anyway. We're told God is good, that He loves us, that He hears our prayers. So why does it sometimes feel like He's working against us? Life's rejections arrive in devastating packages. The job offer withdrawn at the last minute. The miscarriage that shatters years of hope. The medical report that changes everything. When these moments freeze us in place, we face a crucial question: who exactly is directing our lives down these unwanted paths? If someone has that much control over our story, we'd better understand their character. Think of Moses standing on Mount Nebo after forty years of desert wandering. He'd confronted Pharaoh, parted seas, received commandments on smoking mountains. His entire existence pointed toward one destination: the Promised Land. Yet there he stood, permitted only to see what he'd never enter. God had said no to the dream that defined Moses' life. But here's what's remarkable-Moses didn't rage or collapse into bitterness. Why? Because the "no" came from someone he knew intimately, someone whose character he trusted completely.
Understanding the Heart Behind Divine Denial
The Power of Vulnerability and Persistent Prayer
When Thorns Remain and Dreams Transfer
Releasing Bitterness and Embracing New Beginnings
Finding Peace in Surrender and Small Beginnings
Living Beyond the "No"
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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