One of the hardest lessons I’ve been learning is this: when God closes a door, no amount of pushing, shoving, or “just one more try” will open it. And when He opens a door, no one can shut it, not even me with all my doubts, fears, and “but what ifs.”
I used to think closed doors meant I’d done something wrong, or that I’d missed out on what God had for me. But lately, I’m realizing they’re often His way of protecting me from something I can’t see yet. Sometimes they’re just a redirection toward something better.
The problem is… I’m stubborn. If I want something, my instinct is to keep trying, keep knocking, and if that doesn’t work, maybe even try sneaking in through the window. But here’s the truth I’m slowly learning: if God is holding it shut, forcing it open will only lead me into a place He never meant me to be.
There have been seasons in my life where I’ve stood in front of a locked doorway too long replaying conversations, wishing I could change an outcome, praying for something that wasn’t actually for me. All the while, there was another door, the right door just down the hall, wide open and waiting.
That’s the thing about God’s timing. He doesn’t just open any random door; He opens the right one at the right time. And when He does, it’s not halfway. It’s wide open. It comes with peace, provision, and confirmation that He’s the one behind it.
Trusting God in this process is hard. It’s hard to believe that a closed door is actually His protection, or that an open door is truly His invitation. But faith grows when we take Him at His word, when we step out even when we can’t see the whole path.
Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes, trusting Him means saying, I don’t understand right now, but I believe You know what’s best. Sometimes it means letting go of the disappointment and stepping toward the unknown. And sometimes it’s about walking through the open doors with courage, knowing He is carrying us every step of the way.
Verse: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
Verse: “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
This mission trip is one of those “wide open” doors for me. Honestly, I had a lot of reasons why it didn’t make sense. The cost felt huge. The timeline felt too short. I didn’t feel “qualified” in the way I thought missionaries should be. And yet, door after door kept opening. Conversations happened at the perfect time. Opportunities lined up. Peace settled in, even when the logistics looked impossible.I’ve been learning that trusting God isn’t about knowing all the answers or having perfect timing, it’s about believing He is good, that He sees what I cannot, and that His ways are higher than mine.
Verse: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Verse: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Update: As of today, I’m 79% funded for my mission trip praise God! 🙌 In just 15 days, I’ll be flying out to Albania, Macedonia, and Italy for 3.5 months. Every dollar that’s come in, every prayer, every encouragement has been a reminder that when God opens a door, He also makes a way for you to walk through it.
Verse: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
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