What Happens If I Say "No" to God?

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Dear Roger and Joel,

What if I really feel like God is calling me to do something, and I’m just too exhausted, too frustrated, or too weak? If I say “no” to God, what will happen?

Sincerely, Stacie

Dear Stacie, this is Joel. Great question!

Throughout the Bible, God called people who were exhausted, frustrated, and weak, so you need to know that you are in good company. Moses, David, and the disciples were all ill-equipped for the calling God gave them. In fact, it is often a red flag for me when someone tells me about a calling God has given them and that calling is firmly within their comfort zone.

When God calls us to something that is beyond what we can do on our own, He gets all the glory. My own life has been filled with times when I have told God that I was too frustrated, too weak, or simply too tired to do what He was asking me to do. The Holy Spirit keeps bringing me back to verses like Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" [NIV].

But what happens if you say no?

God’s ultimate plan and will are always accomplished. Just ask Jonah or Jeremiah. Yet I want to be part of the story God is writing.

I’ve often wondered what would have happened if Moses had said “no” to God at the burning bush, or if Paul had refused to surrender to Jesus. I believe Israel still would have been delivered, and the letters to the early church still would have been written. God’s purposes would not have been defeated by their disobedience.

But Moses and Paul had the opportunity to be part of that story because they were willing to obey—even when they were exhausted, afraid, frustrated, or carrying a terrible past.

Maybe that is the encouragement we need: God does not call us because we are strong enough. He calls us, and then He gives us what we need to obey.

You may feel too weak. You may feel too tired. You may even feel completely unqualified.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve missed God’s calling.

It may simply mean that you are exactly where God can remind you that the strength was never yours to begin with.

Stacie, I hope this is helpful!

Joel