This morning I opened an
email which was a closed door.
No one likes getting a door closed in their face when they expected an open door.
At first I felt shocked and disappointed. I've been working hard, training to write articles for pay. Lots of rules to follow. Lots of new things to learn. I did everything to the best of my ability. I thought good things were on the horizon with this partnership.
But today, I received a rejection notice. Because I hadn't followed the stringent rules to a T, I was dropped from the team.
It’s not a good time in my life for a door to close, at least in my opinion. The clock is ticking on finding another opportunity, and I'm tempted to fear.
As I stared at the screen with a virtual closed door, I realized I had a choice: get discouraged or get back up. I had to revisit my belief in who God is:
No one likes getting a door closed in their face when they expected an open door.
At first I felt shocked and disappointed. I've been working hard, training to write articles for pay. Lots of rules to follow. Lots of new things to learn. I did everything to the best of my ability. I thought good things were on the horizon with this partnership.
But today, I received a rejection notice. Because I hadn't followed the stringent rules to a T, I was dropped from the team.
It’s not a good time in my life for a door to close, at least in my opinion. The clock is ticking on finding another opportunity, and I'm tempted to fear.
As I stared at the screen with a virtual closed door, I realized I had a choice: get discouraged or get back up. I had to revisit my belief in who God is:
· He is my provider. God has never let one
bill go unpaid or allowed one night to pass without food and shelter in my
memory. He will provide another opportunity.
· He is all-knowing. God knows better than
I whether this situation would be a good fit. I'm trusting that a closed
door now is preventing me from future trouble.
· He has perfect timing. Even though I see the
clock ticking, a thousand years is like a day to God (Psalm 90:4). All time
is in His hands, and I can trust him to provide in the perfect time.
I can also be proud of my effort.
Perhaps I didn't make the team, but I tried my hardest. It reminds
me of the B I received in one of my college English classes. Since I had
always been a straight-A student, it wasn't easy for me to accept less than an
A in my main field of study. But I worked as hard as I could to earn that
B, and I was proud of myself in the end. I'm not ever going to be
perfect, and that's OK.
Now I'm remembering a Bible passage about doors to help me shift my focus and get back up:
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. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
This door is closed, but God will open another. I have peace that He is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28).
Now I'm remembering a Bible passage about doors to help me shift my focus and get back up:
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. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
This door is closed, but God will open another. I have peace that He is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28).
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
Photo from Canva.com
Reflection questions:
1. When God closes a door in your life, how do you get back up?
2. Think about a door that closed in your past. Do you see good from that experience now?
So true, Sarah! We need to keep persevering in the Lord's power whenever a door slams shut in our faces. Who knows what other door that might allow to open for you (and me) in the end? A door that might not be able to open in the future without that closed door! That's my hope for you! Praying you stay encouraged and focused on Him as your prize every single day, my friend! Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that this post is coming at a divinely appointed time for me--and it makes me wonder if we're sharing the same in-box???
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and persevering alongside you in the presence of a closed door.
Thank you, Beth, for commenting here. I so appreciate your prayers and support!
ReplyDeleteMichele, I'm glad that God used my post to encourage you at just the right time!
ReplyDelete