If you would have asked me a couple of months ago what my happiness level was like, I probably would have said it was pretty low. I was in a career I wasn’t super passionate about and had just gotten denied a big opportunity I totally thought God was going to use in my life.

It was heartbreaking when I found out that the plan I thought God had for me wasn’t going to work out. My stomach dropped when I listened to the voicemail, telling me I was not selected for this particular opportunity.

I was embarrassed. I was hurt. I didn’t understand why I had gotten rejected.

But you know what? When I came home that night and told Tyler about my “no”, I had a choice to make. I could either sit there and feel sorry for myself. Or I could cling onto the hope of knowing that God was working all things for my good, and that He would bring an even better opportunity my way.

Which brings me to my first action item after experiencing a no:

Trust. 

So I chose to do just that. Through some tears and a quivering chin, I told Tyler that I knew God was going to bring something better into my life… even if that meant I had to be patient and wait.

I had to trust that God’s plan was bigger than my plan.

During those next couple months, I really had to reflect on what goodness God did bring to my life. Despite what was happening, I often reflected upon the things I was learning and the good things God was providing me with.

Which brings me to my next point:

Reflect.

We often times miss out on what God is doing in our lives when we don’t take the time to reflect on His goodness. It was so incredibly important for me during this time to be able to take a step back and reflect on the goodness of the season rather than just focusing on what was missing or what I felt like was wrong. It gave me a perspective that helped me get through it with hope.

The day came where I finally decided to put my two weeks in… with sort of a back-up plan, I made the decision to tell my boss. 

And then one day before I did just that, I got an email for a job interview. After interviewing with the business, I was offered a position and had to make a decision between that and a whole other path. I accepted the job offer.

Now I just finished up my 3rd week at that job… a community events manager at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. And I can honestly say that each time I make that drive to work, I thank God for that no and that rejection from a few months back. Because I have truly found a job I love and a place where I can utilize all the gifts God has given me. I am in awe of how He used such a broken time and helped me grow and learn and trust in Him through it.

Cling.

Yes, we all will have to walk through some valleys in life. We all at times will question God and what we’re supposed to do and who we’re supposed to be. But I’m finding out more and more that all those answers come when I simply cling to the hope that comes from Christ. When I cling to the relationship I have with God. When I dig in and read the Word and talk to Him and surround myself with people who do the same. 

Praise.

During that hard time, I listened to “See a Victory” almost every morning. I boldly sang it out:

I’m gonna see a victory.

I’m gonna see a victory

For the battle belongs to You, Lord… 

You take what the enemy meant for evil, and you turn it for good… 

It may not always feel like it, but God is working all things for good. He does take what the enemy means for evil and turns it for good. You can believe that with your whole being. Praise Him through the hurt. Praise Him through the storms.

The “no”s sting. The rejection hurts. There will be peaks and valleys, yes. 

But I have found that building my life upon faith as my foundation is always the best decision.

And that has truly made all the difference.