Elizabeth Laing Thompson - When God Says No: Facing Disappointment and Denial without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head

Weve all experienced seasons when were waiting on an answer from God. And when that answer comes back no, it can be devastating. Elizabeth has not only captured the feelings that follow hearing no, but shes also led us on a trail of hope to help us untangle our disappointment and, through it, learn to love and trust God even more.

Davey Blackburn, Founder of Nothing is Wasted Ministries, host of the Nothing is Wasted podcast

If we follow God for long enough, eventually He will close a door we try to open or answer one of our prayers with a clear no. Its never easy to navigate these seasons. When God Says No does not oversimplify the life of obedience, but offers wisdom and hope to anyone struggling under the weight of a divine redirection or refusal. Elizabeths stories remind us that we are not alone, and that even Gods no can lead us deeper into His love.

Carrie Stephens, author of Holy Guacamole

She did it again! Elizabeth Thompson is such a witty and brilliant writer; she makes me want to throw a party! And this book, oh goodness, so timely and precious. I hear from readers all the time who are hurt and broken by a no. He is a good Father. He just is. And good fathers are often misunderstood as harsh or cruel, when all they were doing was trying to protect. Elizabeth offers a precious perspective that will bring the brokenhearted to a place of safety in the arms of a God named Love.

Jami Amerine, author of Well, Girl: An Inside Out Journey to Wellness

I am so thankful that Elizabeth is the friend we need to help us understand that God says no, and that it is okay, and we in turn will be okay. In When God Says No she helps us grasp that we dont need to fully understand the why, but we can navigate the loss, disappointment, and the journey together. We dont have to try to figure it out alone. With this new book, we can walk in an understanding of His unending love and care for us. Elizabeth brings us into Bible stories that help us feel understood, and she loves us through our own circumstances, like the best of friends.

Jeanette Tapley, host of Its Time For Coffee podcast

Elizabeths writing is a close friend offering you a warm hug and a word you didnt know you needed. Weve all had our prayers met with this hard wordno. What Elizabeth does so beautifully is take well-worn pages of scripture and points out times when the answer was no and what we can learn from those moments. I found my eyes opened to many areas that I have now offered up to God in surrender of my own nos through reading her personal stories. She guides the reader back to the heart of God and reminds us of His trustworthy, immutable character that we can always stand on no matter what we are facing.

Rebecca Dotson George, speaker, writer, and host of the Do The Thing Movement podcast

2021 by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

Print ISBN 978-1-64352-361-3

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63609-050-4

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63609-051-1

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used with permission by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

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In memory of Frank and Jane, who pulled up an extra chair and made space between their recliners for their granddaughter, and when she was with them, she wasnt sad, she wasnt lonely, she wasnt insecureshe was just loved. Save me a spot between you in heavenyou pick the movie; Ill bring the popcorn and peanuts.

Writing this book was a profound spiritual journey, a once-in-a-life-time, so-intimate-I-cant-describe-it experience with God. I have never needed the Fathers guidance more desperately in my writingand never has He been more present, more active, in guiding me. Countless times I prayedplease grant me the words, the scriptures, the spirit and the Spiritand every time He answered, usually within minutes. Thank You, Father. Words fail, but I know You hear my hearts grateful song.

My husband, Kevin, was unfailingly supportive. He was always willing to wrestle through theology and concepts with me, and as crunch time set in, his faith and positivity were unflagging. He gladly sent me on several last-minute writing retreats, and he kept the home front running with his trademark generosity and joy. My kidsfour of my greatest yeses from God, after years of waitingwere supportive and understanding when I had to take time to write, and they always made me laugh when I came home. Thank you.

My in-laws, Bill and Glenda, helped in more ways than I could even count: thank you for the kid chauffeuring, the groceries, the meals, the donation of your time-share, and a million other encouragements and acts of service. This book would notcould nothave been written without you!

Dad, thank you for being a prayer warrior and inspiration for me as I was writing! Mom, thank you for supporting me so generously in the midst of your own challenges. Every phone call from you was an encouragement.

Alexandra, thank you for all the million ways you eased my load while I was writingand mostly, just thank you for being you, my favorite only since 1988.

Deepest thanks to all the family and friends who prayed me through this journey. I wish I could name you all, but you know all the ways you encouraged and prayed.

A thousand thanks to my agent, Jessie Kirkland, who has now retired from agenting. Thank you for believing in, and fighting for, the girl you first met at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2015. I owe you more than I can say.

I am profoundly thankful to the friends who shared their no stories with meand allowed me to share them in these pages. It takes tremendous vulnerability and humility to share your pain and struggles, and you honor God with this precious offering. Your faith and courage through Gods nos is an inspiration and higher calling to meas it will be to all who read your stories. With all my heart, thank you.