How to Hope in God When a Door Closes (Refined Series)
“God, how is this fair? I don’t get it!” I was so upset over the news I’d received that I couldn’t even tell my family for several hours. My dream of a writing opportunity that seemed to align with my ministry vision ended with an “I wish I had better news for you” letter. The editor had written a kind and thoughtful letter, but disappointment weighed heavy. How do you move on with hope when a door closes?
All afternoon, I stayed quiet; talking about it might make me cry. On autopilot, I finished up the last chores of the day and chopped vegetables in the kitchen as the late afternoon sun poured in through the windows.
That evening, my story tumbled out over the chicken stir-fry with a flood of words and even a few tears at the family dinner table. (Awkward for my 22-year-old son.)
I knew God had a purpose, but the latest shut door opened up old wounds from a recent season of disappointments for our family. What was God doing?
Friend, you may be facing your own closed doors.
You may be wondering, “Is God really working for my good? How can I trust Him with this?” As much as we wish everything in life went according to our plan, we’ve all faced disappointment:
You didn’t get the job. (Or you lost the one you had.)
The closing on the house didn’t go through.
Your child didn’t make the team.
How can we hold on to hope when the door closes?
I’m learning to give God thanks for closed doors.
I always remember a coffee date years ago with an older, wiser friend. When I shared the sad news that my child hadn’t received admission to his dream school, my friend said simply, “I always thank God for closed doors. If God never shut any doors, how would we know which ones to go through?”
That simple piece of wisdom transformed my outlook.
3 Truths You Can Hold on to When a Door Closes
God has ultimate control.
“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” (Revelation 3:7, NIV)
I can bang on closed doors all I want, but it won’t change a thing. Ultimately, I must surrender my life to God’s sovereign control, trusting He closed the door for a good reason: He evidently did not want me to go through it.
After I pour out my disappointment to God in prayer, I can trust Him to open another door for me in the future, perhaps one I can’t even see now.
We can trust God’s love and faithfulness.
“All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” (Psalm 25:10, NIV)
Even when we cannot see any good in our lost opportunity, we can trust that God is choosing a path for us. A path forged by His love and faithfulness. We may not understand God’s ways in our lives, but we choose to believe they are loving and faithful.
We have a secure place in Him.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6, NIV)
That evening I poured out my heart at the family dinner table, my husband reached out and gently touched my shoulder.
It helped to know I wasn’t alone.
Just like my husband reached out to me, God is reaching out to us, my friend. He longs to reassure us of a promise: His goodness and love will accompany us all our days.
When God closes a door, we can trust He is guiding us down the path He has chosen, a path that leads to goodness and love.
You may not see it now, but the closed door you’re staring at is a blessing in disguise.
You may not see it now, but the closed door you’re staring at is a blessing in disguise.
Click To Tweet
⇓
Let’s Chat: What would our lives look like if we asked God for grace to surrender and trust Him with our closed doors?
Which one of these truths from Scripture could you whisper to yourself today?
Will you pray with me? “Lord, thank you for directing my paths. When you close doors for me, would you give me the grace to thank and praise you? All your ways are loving and faithful. Blessed be your name. Amen.”
Meet Betsy:
Betsy de Cruz writes and speaks to help overwhelmed women take small steps to invite more of God’s presence and power into their lives. Her book More of God is a distracted woman’s guide to more meaningful quiet times. Betsy and her husband José have two young adult children and live in Austin, Texas. Connect with Betsy and get a free Quiet Time Renewal Guide at FaithSpillingOver.com.
Connect with Betsy: Facebook – Instagram – Pinterest – Twitter
The Refined Series
Fire refines. First God, breaks our pride into tiny pieces. Then, He melts away our impurities in a crucible of affliction. Every fleck of fleshy fluff rises to the surface and is removed until we reveal His image.
This year, I want to stop fearing the fire and pray:
Lord, refine me through the flame.
For 2018, I asked God to give me a word to guide my year, and He whispered the word “Refine.” For 10 months, Bruce and I have been walking through the fire and trying to not resist the refining work He is doing in us.
I am a very slow learner, and recently it occurred to me I should step aside and create more space to listen and learn during this season. I long to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with a wise friend who will remind me the fire has a grander purpose. Thankfully, I am blessed to know several women who’ve walked through the fire and emerged beautifully refined, and I’ve invited them to share their story here with the Wildfire Faith Community once a month.
God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us.
⇓
Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy of the Refined Manifesto our Faith Fuel Library.
If you are visiting from Betsy’s today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.
⇓
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
[image error]
⇓
If a door closes, our best response is to get on our knees and ask God to show us the way. To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
When a door closes, we can feel stuck
and fear taking another step.
I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING
GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL.
CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO
REFINE YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE.
[image error]
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR RESOURCES TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
Friends: As a social media influencer, I have a sweet list of my favorite resources to fuel a wildfire faith in my very own shop on Amazon. (Note: I will get a little something back if you follow any of the links in this post and buy anything on this page. Thanks in advance if you do.).
ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
[image error]
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box. 
