When God Closes A Door

We have all heard the sound—the slamming of a door. You didn't get what you wanted. You feel your prayers weren’t answered. You may have prayed for a child. You may have had your heart set on a relationship. You may have had your hopes on a new job, a house or some other opportunity. You may have prayed for healing that never came. But after a season of fervent prayer and a deep longing, the door finally closes—and it slams shut, hard and fast. We can all name specific times in our lives when God closed a door. You may wonder why God let you down this path to a dead end. What happened to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you?” (Matthew 7:7)

The Deafening Silence

In the quiet, you’re left staring at the closed door—heartbroken and disappointed. It must be someone’s fault. You must not be good enough. Your prayers weren’t strong enough. Your hard work and commitment were not enough. You may feel as though you’ve failed, though you’ve been prayerful the whole time, and you just cannot understand why.

At that point, we have a choice: Choose to knock or choose to move on. How do you know if you should persevere? The Bible is filled with examples of those who were determined in their faith, who never stopped hoping—never stopped praying—for their dreams and hopes to come to life.

It could be that the timing isn’t right, and He is calling us to wait. Or maybe it’s just a setback. Sometimes we are so fixated on something that we cannot see beyond it. Maybe we’ve even tried pushing when we should have been pulling. But before we beat down the door, we have to discern where God is calling us. Should we press on in adversity or realize the hard truth?

A wise friend once told me to pray in this way: “Lord, if this is not Your will, and if this is not what You have for me, please shut the door—hard and fast.” Sometimes I believe our discernment can be as simple as that. Ask God to close the door quickly and lock it if it isn’t right. Pray continuously for His will revealed to you.

“You will never be happy if your happiness depends on getting solely what you want. Change the focus. Get a new center. Will what God wills, and your joy no man shall take from you.” -Venerable Fulton Sheen

A Test of Faith

If and when God has locked a door, we must accept it. We must move forward. It can be heartbreaking. But God reminds us that He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). When God closes a door, it is to protect us. It is because He loves you. It is because He has something beyond your wildest dreams in store. And I can witness that, over and over again, He has delivered me—from horrible situations, from making the wrong choice, or from going down a path that is ultimately not right for me.

A closed door is a test of our faith. It can leave you disappointed, disillusioned and jaded. But it is in those moments that He calls us to keep the faith, to stretch farther in trust, and to pray more fervently than ever before. When you feel like you’ve trusted your whole life, He asks you to trust Him a step further. When you feel like you can’t take another blow, He calls you to lean on His strength. But I can promise you this—He will come through for you. No one loves you like He does. And you will be rewarded for your faithfulness.

So when He locks a door, and when He says no, thank Him. Thank Him with your whole heart for revealing the truth to you. Know where to shift your focus, and realize it’s time to redirect your energy. In response to a closed door, we can still open the Bible, and His Word is a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). We can still open our hearts to His loving teachings and see exceedingly beyond our view. So, walk alongside Him every day, devour His Scripture, and tune in to the Shepherd’s voice. Immerse yourself in His gift of the sacraments. We must continue to pursue Him. We must have the courage to go where he wants us, even if the world turns its back on us. We must allow Him to lead us to something better. And along the way, He reminds us who we are. We are His.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Lord, may I treat Your Scripture as Your face. May I melt in front of it.”

–St. Augustine

A Bittersweet Sound

I am thankful for closed doors. They are gifts—blessings in disguise. I am wholeheartedly thankful for God’s response, and the slamming shut is a bittersweet sound to my ears. There is no more guessing. It saves me from the heartache of the pursuit, and I know I have to move forward. It’s as simple as knowing that God is not on the other side of the door. And not until you walk through another one do you realize the necessity for the locks.

Closed doors serve a purpose. It is hard to trust when we don’t understand, but He is sovereign. His plan is profound. His faithfulness is true. Embrace and accept your closed doors. Trust your journey. God is just propelling you towards a better future.

“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God won’t shut the door on your dream. It just may not have been the right opportunity. We must keep our strong foundation of faith and hope. Be courageous in your pursuit of His will. Be a witness to the world. Be open to a new horizon. He will fulfill your dream.

We don’t know when or how a door will be opened. But prepare to walk boldly through the door He opens for you…and leave your legacy.

Lord, help us to thank you for closed doors. We pray that you will quickly lock the doors that are not aligned with Your will for us. We will continue to seek You on our journey, and we will follow You wherever You lead us. Amen.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you, I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8)