“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” – Flora Whittemore

 “If you want God to close and open doors, let go of the door knob.” – Toby Mac

“I will open a door that no man can shut…” – Revelation 3:8

One of the greatest mysteries of life – one that I find perplexing, heartbreaking, and often wearisome, is the nature of closed doors.  When we travel a path that seems so absolutely right to us – one that leads to an eventual dead end, or when we are suddenly and abruptly stopped frozen in our tracks, or when the barrier is so enormous and the doorway so tightly sealed off it becomes impassable, it can leave us dejected, stunned, and bewildered.

Some closed doors are a natural part of our existence.  Each of us know they are coming, but when they arrive, they still throw us for a loss.  When the children are grown and leave home, when we need to sell the home and move into something smaller and more manageable, when the career comes to a close or the health issue ends an aspect of our lives we once took for granted – all of these types of closed doors are somewhat eventual in nature, but still overwhelming and unsettling when they slowly close off a part of who we once were.

I’ll never forget the day my Dad decided he could no longer drive anymore due to macular degeneration and its progression.  It came on so suddenly.  All at once, he had driven a car for the last time in his life.  A piece of his freedom, his independence, and his pride slipped away with that closed door.

Along with those “naturally” closing doors in life come doors that are shut by others – blocking a way we once thought was our path or becoming an opposing barricade placed in the way of our own dreams and desires.  The unanticipated job loss, the spouse who demands a divorce, the family member who never wants to speak to you again, or the business partner who suddenly backs out of the deal – all of these doors were slammed shut as you faced them – ready and willing to walk through them.  There is something about the forceful closing of a door like this – the helpless, hurtful, and irrepressible aspects of it that make it hard to bear.  There is a sense of being out of control – that your destiny, your desires, and the good dreams you had for your life are being manipulated and decided by others.  There is nothing like a door that closes by slamming in your face!

But then, there are doors that close of our own fruition – ones where we place our hands on the door knob and pull it shut ourselves.  Here, we decide the relationship has run its course, the job is no longer satisfying, or its time to move to another part of the country and start over.  We become the autonomous and authoritative one – imposing our will and way on how the shut door affects us or how it affects someone else.

When we become the door closer, I think it has the potential to create some of the deepest regret, some of the most intense contemplation – triggering indecisiveness, uncertainty, and at times remorse.  The immutable nature of a closed door that WE PURPOSEFULLY SHUT can be haunting!

Did I do the right thing?  Did I think this through enough?  Was this best for me….best for others?

Are you facing any closed doors right now?  Were they closed by others, shut intentionally by you, or were they a natural part of life that has caught you off guard?

What are some things we can remember when facing doors that are now impassible?

Take Solace in the Loving Sovereignty of God

We’ve talked about this idea a lot if you have read even a few of my articles 🙂  Ultimately, the God we serve is in control of all that unfolds.  Every door that shuts naturally, by others, or by ourselves is done so underneath the overarching umbrella of God’s sovereign rule.

Flora Whittemore’s quote above implies the power we have over our lives by the doors we choose to close and open.  Toby Mac’s quote puts emphasis on letting go of our personal choices when it comes to doors – giving God the free reign to open and shut the ones He knows are best.

Does the quality of our life improve by the doors we choose to close or shut?  Indeed it does!  Can we through our personal choices, hold open doors that God would like closed or shut doors that God wanted us to walk through?  Yes…indeed we can!

But remember, God is aware of ALL OUR CHOICES and no door (ABSOLUTELY NO DOOR!) can either close or open without His ultimate allowance.

You cannot possible surprise God or leave Him off guard by a door you choose to close or by a door that has been shut by others.  Someone’s shutting of a door cannot impact the destiny of your life and its outcome.  There is NO DOOR that you can shut permanently without God’s allowance to do so.

If doors you closed are leaving you fearful, uncertain and remorseful – if the doors others have slammed in your face have left you feeling helpless and out of control – remember and hold on to the loving sovereignty of God who oversees every shut door in your life – whether it is self-imposed or shut by others.

Trust God with Closed Doors

“He will open doors, and no one will be able to shut them; He will close doors, and no one will be able to open them.” – Isaiah 22:22

God’s sovereign will can close doors permanently – ones we would like or prefer to open.  Here, Toby Mac’s quote above applies!  We must trust God with the opening and closing of doors – taking our hands off the knob!  We only delay or interfere with God’s ultimate plans for us when we close doors not meant to be closed – when we open doors not meant to be open.

It takes daily prayer, meditative listening, and cultivating a humble heart on our part – giving up our personal desires to God – seeking His direction on what doors need to be closed or those that must remain closed.  He will give us the wisdom and the guidance if we ask.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 NLT

We often misinterpret this verse – believing we will get our own way if we keep asking and knocking.  The real meaning of this verse implores us to keep asking for, seeking out, and inquiring of God what His will is for us when it comes to the closed doors in our lives and He will give us the wisdom and guidance we seek.

Finally as the Scripture verse above reminds us, only God (not ourselves and others) can shut doors that REMAIN shut or open doors that REMAIN open.

So my friend, any door that you have closed where there is remorse or uncertainty – ask God if it needs to remain closed by you.  If you feel hurt, shut off, or encumbered by the choices of others who have shut doors against you – realize that their actions cannot drive your destiny nor can the door remain closed if that is not the will of the Father.  Take comfort in this my friend!

I pray that if you are facing any closed doors tonight, that you see them in a new perspective.  All are under the authority of a loving God!  Be sensitive to your own abilities to close them – avoiding unnecessary delays or acting outside of God’s plans for you and others.  Seek wisdom and guidance FIRST before closing them.

When others close the door on you – realize that these doors don’t surprise God.  No door can permanently close on your life outside of God’s will.  If He desires that it remain shut, it will.  If He wants it to reopen, it will.

Trust Him with ALL THE DOORS in your life 🙂

God bless!