When God Says No
I had my plan. A good one, I thought. The trail I was hiking on had a little side path I had taken before. It was quicker, quieter, and a bit more scenic. But this time, when I got to it, there was a barricade across the entrance. A sign read, "Trail Closed. Do Not Enter."
Nothing looked dangerous. No workers. No broken ground. Just a block. And I will be honest, I was annoyed. I felt like I was being unnecessarily delayed.
But I kept going on the main path. A few minutes later, the trail curved up, and I found myself looking back over the blocked area from above. That is when I saw it. A huge fallen tree was lying across the trail. From where I stood earlier, it looked clear. From where I was now, I could see exactly why it had been closed.
That moment stuck with me. Because I have lived that feeling before.
There have been things I prayed for. Opportunities I pursued. Places I planned to go. Things that looked right and even felt like they lined up with what God would want. But still, the door did not open. The way forward was blocked. And I was left wondering why.
Then I came across this verse in Acts 16. Paul had a plan to go preach in Asia. He was not off track. He was not distracted. He was doing exactly what God had called him to do. But Acts 16 verse 6 says this: "But the Holy Spirit blocked that route."
It was not because Paul messed up. It was not because the plan was bad. It was because God had a better assignment waiting. One Paul did not expect. One that would lead him to Macedonia and to people who were ready to hear the gospel.
That simple sentence in Scripture hit me. The Holy Spirit blocked that route. Not the enemy. Not bad luck. Not poor timing. The Spirit of God, who leads us into all truth, was the One who said, not this way.
Here is what I am learning.
Blocked does not mean forgotten. Just because the way is closed does not mean God has walked away. Sometimes the road is shut down not because it was wrong, but because it is no longer the next right thing. He is still with you. Still leading. Still working things together for your good.
The no is just as sacred as the go. We love to celebrate the open doors. The breakthroughs. The approvals. The green lights. But sometimes the most spiritual moments are when God lovingly says, "Not here. Not now." The no of the Holy Spirit in Acts 16 was just as Spirit-filled as the vision that came later. A red light can carry just as much purpose as a green one. It takes trust to see God's hand not only when things move forward but also when they pause.
Trust means surrendering not just the bad plans but even the good ones. The plans that made sense. The paths that seemed holy. The goals that felt right. Trust says, God, if You are asking me to let this go, then I will. Even if I do not understand. Even if it hurts a little.
If you are facing a closed door or an unexpected pause, do not panic. You are not off course. You may be right where you need to be. The path may be blocked, but the story is still unfolding. God sees the whole trail, even when you cannot.
Lord, help me trust You more than I trust my plans. Give me the faith to follow when the way forward feels unclear. Teach me to rest when You say wait. And to walk confidently when You say go. Even if the road looks different than I imagined. Amen.
Make It Personal:
Where in your life do you feel like a door has been closed or a path unexpectedly blocked?
How have you responded to that moment? With frustration, fear, or faith?
What is one plan you need to place back in God’s hands today?
