When plans fail or our dreams don’t come through our friends, family, and church folk, often say “when God closes one door He opens another”. Many people say it like it’s in the bible. Not only is it not in the Bible it’s also presumtuous. We assume that because something that we want doesn’t happen that God stopped it. That’s like saying “I want your will to be done God”, when what we really mean is “I want you to make sure my will is done God”. I’ve written several post about God’s will for you, and in none of them do I say that God closes and opens doors. God has given us freewill and that allows us to decide to follow His will for us or to do it on our own.
The origin of the saying isn’t really known but it’s similar to a quote from Alexander Graham Bell. He said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
One example in the Bible of open and closed doors is on Paul’s second missionary journey from Antioch:
Acts 16:6-12 (NKJV)6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
While I said that it’s presumptive to say that God closed a door or prevented our plans from materializing, the statement “When God closes one door He open another” is pretty accurate in many, cases. I want to emphasize that most disappointments are not caused by God closing a door. He opens a lot of them, but rarely closes them. Sometimes it’s other people, Satan and his demonic forces or us that close the door. In fact most times it's us. We make a bad decision leaning on our own understanding, listening to our well intentioned friends and family, freaking out, and not waiting for God, That has closed a whole lot of doors.
The origin of the saying isn’t really known but it’s similar to a quote from Alexander Graham Bell. He said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
One example in the Bible of open and closed doors is on Paul’s second missionary journey from Antioch:
Acts 16:6-12 (NKJV)6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
While I said that it’s presumptive to say that God closed a door or prevented our plans from materializing, the statement “When God closes one door He open another” is pretty accurate in many, cases. I want to emphasize that most disappointments are not caused by God closing a door. He opens a lot of them, but rarely closes them. Sometimes it’s other people, Satan and his demonic forces or us that close the door. In fact most times it's us. We make a bad decision leaning on our own understanding, listening to our well intentioned friends and family, freaking out, and not waiting for God, That has closed a whole lot of doors.
If The Door is Closed Make Sure That It’s God Who Closed It.
When you are in God’s will He will lead you through those “open” doors and away from and around those “closed” doors.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
God will guide you if you’ll trust Him. You weren’t placed on the earth to stumble around in the dark trying to find out what you should do. If you’re sure that you are operating in God’s will for you and there’s opposition then kick the door down. Reading God’s Word will teach you to recognize the closed doors, and when you enter the wrong doors. God has a plan and path for you but it’s your responsibility to find and follow it.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
It doesn’t mean there will be no opposition when you walk through a door that God opens. Everything may not be “peaches and cream”. Don’t only depend on circumstances or feelings. Know God’s will for you. I wrote a blog post, “How Can I Know God’s Will For Me” to show you how.
If you are certain that God closed a certain door, don’t be discouraged; just start looking for the open door. Be encouraged and know that God has the key to open every door; change every situation and open new windows of opportunities. Be encouraged and know that God does everything for a reason; not for our downfall, but for our good and to His glory. The roadblocks we face are an opportunity to seek God's will to guide us.
“When you begin to follow God and circumstances seem to close doors of opportunity, go back to the Lord and clarify what God said. He most often is not calling you to a task, but to a relationship. Through that relationship He is going to do something though your life” - Henry Blackaby wrote, (Experiencing God, p. 159)
If you find a closed door don’t give, and up don’t complain. Many times when we run into difficulty or find a closed door, we get super spiritual and say “Okay, God, I’m not moving until you show me which way to go.” That’s the worse thing we can do. I’ve been writing about waiting for God and being still while we wait (While You Wait On God Be Still, Persevere In Prayer As You Wait On God’s Timing, God Is Faithful Wait On The Lord). Waiting and being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means to actively trust God and lean on His understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
No “When God closes one door He opens another” is not in the Bible, but be encouraged knowing that God is with you, no matter the position of the door our your situation.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Philippians 4:12-13 (NKJV)12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The door to salvation is never closed it’s always open, and will not close until the end of the age. If you haven’t stepped through that door do it now.
Romans 10:8-10 (NKJV)8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Pray this simple prayer in sincerity and ask Jesus to come into, and become the the Lord of, your life.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.
When you are in God’s will He will lead you through those “open” doors and away from and around those “closed” doors.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
God will guide you if you’ll trust Him. You weren’t placed on the earth to stumble around in the dark trying to find out what you should do. If you’re sure that you are operating in God’s will for you and there’s opposition then kick the door down. Reading God’s Word will teach you to recognize the closed doors, and when you enter the wrong doors. God has a plan and path for you but it’s your responsibility to find and follow it.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
It doesn’t mean there will be no opposition when you walk through a door that God opens. Everything may not be “peaches and cream”. Don’t only depend on circumstances or feelings. Know God’s will for you. I wrote a blog post, “How Can I Know God’s Will For Me” to show you how.
If you are certain that God closed a certain door, don’t be discouraged; just start looking for the open door. Be encouraged and know that God has the key to open every door; change every situation and open new windows of opportunities. Be encouraged and know that God does everything for a reason; not for our downfall, but for our good and to His glory. The roadblocks we face are an opportunity to seek God's will to guide us.
“When you begin to follow God and circumstances seem to close doors of opportunity, go back to the Lord and clarify what God said. He most often is not calling you to a task, but to a relationship. Through that relationship He is going to do something though your life” - Henry Blackaby wrote, (Experiencing God, p. 159)
If you find a closed door don’t give, and up don’t complain. Many times when we run into difficulty or find a closed door, we get super spiritual and say “Okay, God, I’m not moving until you show me which way to go.” That’s the worse thing we can do. I’ve been writing about waiting for God and being still while we wait (While You Wait On God Be Still, Persevere In Prayer As You Wait On God’s Timing, God Is Faithful Wait On The Lord). Waiting and being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means to actively trust God and lean on His understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
No “When God closes one door He opens another” is not in the Bible, but be encouraged knowing that God is with you, no matter the position of the door our your situation.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Philippians 4:12-13 (NKJV)12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The door to salvation is never closed it’s always open, and will not close until the end of the age. If you haven’t stepped through that door do it now.
Romans 10:8-10 (NKJV)8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Pray this simple prayer in sincerity and ask Jesus to come into, and become the the Lord of, your life.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.
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