Closed Doors

My heart skipped a beat as I read the bold letters in the subject line. With a deep breath, my trembling finger opened the long-awaited email. My eyes frantically scanned the lettering for one word. It was not in the first paragraph. Nor was it in the second. Instead, my eyes saw a list of twelve winners, and my name was lacking.

My prayer for 2019 has been for God to open doors. My prayer for 2019 has also been for God to close doors. I must admit that the open doors are fun. Open doors bring hope and excitement. Open doors make my heart skip a beat.  However, the closed doors are a different story. Closed doors make me question why? Closed doors make me feel less-than.

How about you?  Have you ever felt the sting of a closed door? Do you ever feel like you are beating your head against a locked door?

What’s a Jesus-girl to do when facing a closed door?

What I am learning is that sometimes closed doors are just waiting periods. Often I feel ready to walk through the door, but God has it shut for my protection or perfection. Time may be needed for Him to set the stage for victory on the other side of the door. His schedule is the perfect timing for success. 

In the book of Genesis, there is a heartfelt story of a man named Joseph who faced closed doors. God gave him dreams of greatness, honor, and position. He met the closed door of rejection from his siblings and was even sold into slavery. He was trapped behind prison doors. However, in the Lord’s timing, and through a series of events that shout the presence, plan, and power of Almighty God, He became prime minister, second in command, of Egypt. (Genesis 37-50)

When Joseph thought he was facing a closed door, it was really just a waiting tank. Joseph needed time to move from the ‘prison to the palace.’ Joseph needed time to learn forgiveness. His brothers needed time to understand the depth of their wrong deeds and seek forgiveness. Joseph faced closed doors, while in reality, God was setting everything in place for a victorious reunion on the other side of the door. 

My prayer is that God will open and shut the doors in front of me. He knows what is behind each one. He has the plan. For me, today, as one door closes, it is not a rejection, but a waiting tank. I am sure there are areas in my life that need time to mature. I am trusting that a few things need to develop behind the closed doors, so when they open, I can walk in victory.

He tells me to “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding and He will direct my paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) In this verse, I trust. So while I wait, I choose to “Trust God and do good.” Psalms 37:3 (NIV) When the time is right, the door will open, and I will walk in victory into God-size assignments and so will you. If you are facing a closed door today, join me and let’s choose to “Trust God and do good” while we wait for His perfect timing and direction. He is preparing all events, people, and our own hearts to walk in victory through future open doors.