When Doors Are Closed

Have you ever been in a season when it seemed like every door you knocked on stayed closed? Maybe you’re in that season right now. I certainly am.

It often feels discouraging when every door seems to stay shut. You may think, Can I get one door to give way just a little?

Let’s look at this situation through the lens of God’s wisdom, goodness, and faithfulness.

God wants His best for you. If doors are closed, it could mean He has something better. Or maybe what He is preparing for you isn’t quite ready. You can trust He will open the right door at the right time.

He may use closed doors to narrow your path for His very best. God sees farther down the road, and He sees the big picture. He wants you to go through the amazing door He has set out for you. So, trust Him.

Maybe going from door to door is growing you in a way that’s significant for your next season. Embrace it. Allow God to grow you.

Meanwhile, be present to other doors God will open on any given day. Ask Him what that door is for the day or for the moment. Maybe the open door today is to sit and focus on His presence. An open door today might be to spend time volunteering or helping someone, or enjoying fellowship with people you are joyful to be around.

If you are in transition from one season to the next, maybe you need to rest before your next adventure. See if God is calling you to rest and what that looks like. Maybe you need time for self-care—time you normally don’t get when doors are opening all around you.

Try to stay in the day, the hour, the moment. Don’t try to look ahead because you don’t yet know all that God is doing. He gives you grace for this moment, so seek His grace and direction. Yield to Him in the moment. Focus on His goodness and faithfulness. Be grateful He is with you.

During a season of closed doors, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Don’t give any ground to discouragement. Pray. Listen to worship music. Go to a worship gathering. If that feels like a lot, sit in the back of the worship space and just focus on God’s presence.

Organize an outing with good friends. Read something light that will make you feel joyful. Spend time in nature or having fun with art. Play with a puppy. If you have children in your life, spend time playing with them. Sometimes the simplicity of children playing shifts our perspective for the better.

Journal with God throughout this time, whenever you get frustrated at the closed doors. Your words may start out as a catharsis, but don’t stop there. Listen for God’s response. Realize He is working in your heart for your best during this time. It may seem like nothing is happening on the outside, but He is doing His best work on the inside.

Realize that when one of those doors you’ve been knocking on finally opens and you’re off on your next adventure, you will look back on this time with fondness. If you recognize that now, and trust God with what comes next, you can embrace this time as an amazing part of His plan.

Know without a doubt you are not alone. He is always with you. Enjoy this time with Him. That door is open every minute of every day: the invitation to just be with Him.

What a blessing to realize that no matter what other doors may be closed, the door to spend time in God’s presence is always open. Thank You, Lord. We are grateful.