Have you experienced a closed door in your life? An opportunity that you thought would be there, but was not?
Maybe it was a rejection letter, or a promotion you didn’t get, or a romantic relationship that ended. No matter what, it was something you wanted, and the way was blocked.
Often when you face closed doors in our lives, you tend to get frustrated. You may ask God, “Why did You close that door, Lord?” If you’re anything like me, you may even get angry at God with denied opportunities: “Why are You doing this to me, God?”
Why does God close doors? Why does He sometimes block us from having things? God closes doors because He has something better in mind.
In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions learn a very important lesson. As they tried to preach the gospel in Asia Minor andBithynia, they found the doors closed (v.6-7). The Holy Spirit stopped them from preaching. You can just imagine the frustration in the minds of these men. After all, what could be more worthwhile than evangelizing the lost?
When they reached the port city of Troas, Paul learns why God closed the doors to Asia andBithynia. A man of Macedonia came to Paul in a vision, begging him to go toMacedoniaand help them (v.9)!
God’s desire was to bring the gospel toEurope, where it had never been before. And because these men set sail forMacedonia, the gospel reached cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.
More importantly, because God guided these men westward, the gospel spread throughout Europe. Millions of Christians, including myself, can thank God that the gospel made it to Europe. Do you see why God closed those other doors?
When God closes doors in your life, it’s because He has something better in mind. It’ll be better for both you and His kingdom. Maybe God wanted you to be in a certain situation because it’ll bring you closer to Him, or further the cause of the gospel somehow. We may never know.
I am living proof that God has better things in mind. God closed doors in my life, denying me opportunities that I really wanted. But I’m in Texas now, pursuing God’s call to full-time ministry and now happily married with a beautiful baby because God closed those doors. And I should thank Him everyday.
When God closes doors, it can be very frustrating. But take heart, because God’s plan is much better. Look for the open doors elsewhere. God will bring about what is best.
