"God Said, 'No'."

I found this poem the other day, and the author is unknown but the message is powerful-

God Said "No".

I asked God to take away my pride,
and God said 'no'.
He siad it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to grant me patience,
and God said 'no'.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulation. It is not granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
and God said 'no'.
He said He gives blessing, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,
and God said 'no'.
He said, "Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares, and closer to me."

I asked God to make my Spirit grow,
and God said, 'no'.
He said, I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make it fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me,
and God said "yes".
He gave His only Son, who died for me, and I will be in heaven one day
Because... I believe.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me,
and God said,
"Ah, finally you have the idea."