Recognize closed doors as golden opportunities

Whether tackling seemingly impossible situations or trying to stay afloat in a sea of difficulties, in each and every trial, I have found that: “When one door closes, God always opens a window.”

Whether tackling seemingly impossible situations or trying to stay afloat in a sea of difficulties, in each and every trial, I have found that: “When one door closes, God always opens a window.”

Together, let’s open our eyes. Let our hearts be at ease and our minds at rest, for remember— we never stand alone. God is with us, an ever-present help whom we can depend. At this moment, let us look beyond the closed door to find His Hands opening a window, just for us. That window never fails to appear when we look for it, pointing us toward our ultimate destination and reward.

Tucked away in a drawer, at the bottom of my nightstand, is my journal. Within its worn, frayed pages, I have kept an account of the unforeseen adversities I have faced in my life—the losses, the rejections, the unfair situations, the people who intentionally tried to hurt me, frustrations, and countless setbacks I experienced.

This morning, however, when I randomly flipped through the journal and slowly read the words, what was remarkable to me was after each challenge, eventually, those troubling circumstances completely transformed themselves into something of intrinsic value. And they brought me an enhanced appreciation of the blessings in my life.

I lingered for a time, gazing at the words, my mind moving backwards. After that, I gently closed the journal and placed it on the table. Taking a deep breath, I came to a powerful realization: “Whatever the difficulty, regardless of the odds stacked against me, I never, ever, gave up.”

Instead, I’d search for the “open window,” and in most cases, manage to crawl through it to feel the warm sunlight of a brighter day.

Instinctively, I understood that God had plans for my life, for He was the

One who put those good aspirations and dreams in my heart. And though many shadows were cast along my pathway, I firmly believed that if I carried on in faith, in His time, deliverance would come.

One could say that faith is similar to radar that sees through fog, storms, and even stone walls!

Scripture tells us in Romans 8:28 that our challenges work “for us” not “against us.” God has promised that all things work together for good in those who love Him. Although

we may not see this or believe it at first, down the road we will absolutely know it.

So when life closes a door:

Will you choose to trust God and persevere?

Can you adjust your perspective and choose to see your challenges positively?

Will you be patient and continue to praise God, allowing him to do His work and bring you His rewards?

Remember: The choices you make—especially dur

ing challenging times— will determine the course of your life. A friend once said to me, “You are the decisions you make.”

God does not always take us on the easy path. What’s important is what God wants to teach us and what we learn from the experience. Therefore, we cannot allow a disappointment, obstacle, or even a sequence of stumbling blocks to convince us that our dreams are over. If we persist, have steadfast faith and yield to Him, God will work out His divine purposes and bless us in an extraordinary way.

Turning to the Bible, I found a passage where Peter related how a goldsmith would place the metal into a furnace just long enough to remove any impurities. The goldsmith then would pour out the liquid gold and create an exquisite piece of great value and beauty. Likewise, we may not be sheltered from our difficulties because we need them for our spiritual growth, preparing us for future glory.

Romans 5:3-5 says, “We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, Who fills our hearts with His love.”

Difficulties mold us, strengthen our character and prepare us for the blessings to come. And just as the goldsmith stands close beside his ore, God stands close to us, His loving eyes upon us, and His strong hands guiding us.

When we take one day at a time, God will give us the power to conquer, for “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8: 37) Thus, we can welcome every morning confident that we have nothing to fear, for our loving Father desires the best for His children.

Now, as I sit here writing this column for you, I can testify that the hardships I have endured gave me a heart of understanding. That work needed to be done within me before it could be accomplished through me. Accordingly, I offer myself as a channel to bring the comfort that God gave to me, to others. What an honor it is to bring a touch of encouragement to hearts that need it the most.

Step by step, let me help you to find your own open window. Then, you will realize that God is indeed with you, always, showing you how to achieve the life of your dreams.