Closed doors are not exciting. It is so much easier to embrace open doors and recognize the blessings in those. But I’m finding closed doors can be blessings from God too. But I think accepting closed doors from God requires more faith. We have to trust that while what we can see behind the door looks good, God can see beyond what we can see and what’s down the line is not for our good.
            “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
 
            Recently, I encountered a closed door in a relationship; and I didn’t see it coming. Rather, let me say I encountered a slammed door in a relationship and I may have seen it coming if I was honest with myself. For awhile God may have been trying to close that door but I kept propping it open. In the gloss and shine of a new relationship I ignored God’s gentle hand prompting me to leave that path and guide me to a new destination; a road I would not be able to travel with that person.

          As God allowed me a glimpse behind the door He closed, I saw abandonment and myself deterring from the path He had laid out for me. And while I don’t know exactly where God’s taking me I’m sure it’ll be great for me (and you too!)
            “ ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’” 1 Corinthians 2: 9
            So I’m not saying embracing closed doors is easy or something that happens overnight but I’m willing to fight through the pain and trust that what God has in front of me is far better than anything that is behind me.
            “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40: 5
 

         Trusting God is so hard sometimes; especially when we can’t see the next step. I think the biggest area I’m learning to trust God in is relationships. For a long time, I hid this area from God as if He couldn’t see it. I thought, “You know what God I got this!” But actually, He knew more than me. Duh! He can see down the line when that person is going to stop replying to texts or when they’re going to move onto someone else long before we even know what’s going on.  

         I’ve learned when we trust God, He protects us from so much heartache. When we stick with Him and keep Him involved in our relationships, He reveals so much to us and saves us so much time. Now don’t get me wrong, there have been a few times when I could feel the Spirit telling me someone wasn’t right for me, but I proceeded anyway. But God is so good when it’s all over, He doesn’t say “I told you so.” He welcomes us back into a close relationship with Him.

        So I guess I’ve realized that when my relationship with God is healthy so are my other relationships. As long as I keep God first, He’ll guide me in the right direction. I’m doing my best to follow Proverbs 4:23 which says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring for life.”  

***wellspring= a source or supply of anything, especially when considered inexhaustible.

        So if our hearts are the source of our joy and happiness, let’s protect it.  
        Let’s trust God, I’m confident He’ll bring us the right person at just the right time.
        “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
     “ ‘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)