Blessings in Disguise

Happy New Year, everyone! I don’t know about you but 2018 was a rough year for me, and I’m glad to see it go. Like most people, I am excited about this new year and am praying for God to do some great things in it. However, as we move into and ask God’s blessings for this new year, I want to share a reminder that there are blessings in disguise.  We often think that a blessing is when we get something, but I’ve learned that sometimes the blessing is in not getting it.

For example, there was a particular job that I really wanted. There were about five different people that I had to interview with at different times.  Interviews 1-4 went great and then came interview number five, which went awful.  I remember leaving that last interview feeling defeated and discouraged. Of course, just like I anticipated, I didn’t get the job. After agonizing over it, I became determined to get that position.  I worked on my skill set to be better qualified the next time that position opened and when it did – I got it. Of course, when I got it, I thought that was the blessing; boy was I wrong.  I quickly realized that me not getting it the first time was the blessing.

I used to hear this saying all the time, but now I know it to be true: man’s rejection is often God’s protection.

Psalm 84:11 assures us, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

If a door is staying shut despite your prayers and preparation, instead of getting frustrated, consider that what’s behind that door might be getting withheld because it’s not a good thing.

Sure, God can take a bad situation and turn it around for your good, but who wants to endure unnecessary headache, heartache, stress, and foolishness during the process.  

I was once commended for being tenacious; however, experience has taught me that it’s much more important to be intentional and prayerful about the opportunities that I pursue. Experience and maturity have also graduated me from an I want it, and I’m going to get what I want attitude — to a Is this what God has for me? mindset.

See, we have a limited view, but God has an aerial, panoramic view. We only see what’s right in front of us, while God sees the full picture.

Trust God’s “no” just like you do His “yes”!

With love,

Danielle Fennell