Thank God for Closed Doors, Not Just the Open Doors

Frequently, we tend to get frustrated and discouraged whenever a door we thought was meant for us closes. It takes a lot of maturity, patience, and endurance not to get paralyzed by self-pity. I can look back countless times in my life and be thankful for God closing the doors not meant for my destiny. At the moment, it can seem devastating, heartbreaking, and deflating. But do you know that God uses rejection in our lives for redirection? Because God gives us free will, he doesn’t force us into his will. He knocks and patiently waits for us to accept his invitation. 

 Do you know that God uses rejection in our lives for redirection?

As a man of faith, I firmly believe that God has an extraordinary, divine calling for each of us. It can take us a while to realize it, but he reveals it according to his perfect timing. Because of our human nature, we tend to get impatient and try to force things to happen, kick down doors that are not meant for us. God leads us to the path of righteousness and prosperity he has for us by his marvelous grace. None of us can boast about it because it is his free gift. 

In retrospect, I can smile and admit that if God hadn’t closed particular doors, I would not be in my purpose today. It can also become uncomfortable at times, feeling like we’re all alone and hanging by a thread. That’s precisely where God wants us and where we need to be. A place where we can only depend on him. Where it seems like we have no other choice but to trust in him, God tells us to be still and know that he’s in control. 

I can recall when I had gotten off course when I worked multiple jobs in the restaurant business. I was distracted by the “fast money” and not willing to be patient with what God had in store for me. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him (God), and he will direct your paths.” I was leaning into my own understanding, trying to force puzzle pieces that were not meant to be together in my life.

God tells us to be still and know that He’s in control. 

It was not until adversity occurred that redirected me into the path God had already planned for me. It is so amazing to think about the goodness of God and his wonders. He already knows the end from the beginning; that is why he is called “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 22:13). He knew every one of us before we were even born. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). It is so amazing to try to fathom that scripture. 

I was leaning into my own understanding, trying to force puzzle pieces that were not meant to be together in my life.

Frequently we bump our heads and think that we are being rejected. What if I told you that God uses rejection for redirection in our lives? He closes the doors that are not meant for us to go through to detour us on the path that He has for us. That is why it is so crucial to trust in Him. He knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see the whole picture. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

As a result, that door of employment where I achieved so much success was suddenly closed on me, it was closed, and I was thinking, OK, what am I going to do now? Thankfully, my wife was working, and she still had a great job.

Frequently we bump our heads and think that we are being rejected. What if I told you that God uses rejection for redirection in our lives?

But it was so intimidating because I knew I felt that nudge when I would be working as a manager. I heard an inner voice within me saying, “Work on your own business after work—no more Netflix and chill. Go and study, write down your business plan. Find your purpose. You have your nine-to-five (job), work on your six-to-nine (entrepreneurship).” I was ignoring it. I was disobedient. Despite it all, I felt like that closed door led me to this beautiful path of being an entrepreneur and a business owner. 

I was able to transition into entrepreneurship without hurting and without lacking (thank God). Being able to grow, build my brand, build my business, and do something that I love is fulfilling. It is something that I look forward to every day, besides waking up to my beautiful wife and my wonderful sons. It’s something that keeps me up at night. As I am staring at the ceiling, thoughts are flooding my head on how I can impact people or make a positive difference in the world.

Entrepreneurship and leadership are what I feel passionately led to do. So one thing that I would say is (especially during this time with the pandemic and what’s going on in the economy) to embrace and be thankful for closed doors.